The Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki)

Warsaw's landmark tower is a building many residents would like to see knocked down. The 1950s Socialist-Realist wedding cake was originally a gift from former Soviet leader Josef Stalin, but the symbolic intention was clear from the start. Stalin was marking his turf, and Poland was part of the Eastern bloc. Today, with Poland firmly within the European Union and the Soviet Union a distant nightmare, public attitudes toward the "palace" have softened somewhat. What used to look tragic now looks undeniably comic, and it seems the building will continue in its role as a cultural venue for some time to come. You can ride to the top -- 30 stories -- for a fine view over the city (but let's be honest here, 30 stories is not really that dramatic). The humdrum interior is also a bit of a disappointment. Save yourself the admission and, instead, admire the amazing exterior for free. You won't be able to take your eyes off of it.

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