Most people arrive to the Polish capital via Warszawa Centralna train station, which, together with the Palace of Culture and this large space, basically comprises Warsaw City Centre’s ground zero. Plac Defilad is the vast, undeveloped, mostly concrete and asphalt mess standing in and around the Palace of Culture & Science, but particularly the east side. As the name ‘Parade Square’ hints, this mostly empty plot was created by PRL planners in the 1950s, along with the Palace of Culture. Measuring 24ha, it was technically the second largest public square in the EU, though no one would have mistaken it for a proper square. For years it’s mostly been parking, but plenty of historical events have taken place here, from communist era propaganda parades, to rallies of hundreds of thousands for Pope John Paul II, to Christmas markets, ice rinks and New Year’s Eve concerts. After years of debating what to do with it, part of the square is currently under construction to become the future home of the Museum of Modern Art, which will open in 2023 and coincide with a renaming of the square to Plac Centralny (Central Sqaure). Until that happens we don’t suggest hanging around here, unless you’re on your way to the top of the Palace of Culture. If you’re not a fan of all this urban hubbub, you can escape directly by heading through the time portal of the nearby Photoplasticon.