Architect: Lev Rudnev, 1955, in a Stalinist-Gothic style similar to the seven Stalinist Skyscrapers in Moscow. The Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki) was a controversial "gift" from the USSR. Now seen in historical perspective, a symbol of the city and a contrast to the modern high-rises surrounding. Downtown Warsaw, Poland.
The top of the spire reaches 237m; I was told that there was a proposal to have a statue of Stalin here, but fortunately wiser thoughts prevailed! The clock faces were added at the turn of the Millennium.
(Both pics CC BY-NC-SA)
