Warsaw's Palace of Culture: 60 is just a number

A general view of the Palace of Culture and Science (left) in Warsaw, Poland. The palace that was completed on July 22, 1955 just turned 60. Considered one of the city's most iconic buildings, it stands at 231 meters high. Photo: EPA

Polish TV presenter Robert Bernatowicz used to hate Warsaw’s colossal Palace of Culture, an unwanted gift from Soviet Russian dictator Joseph Stalin that opened 60 years ago last week. But that was before he broke into the building.

“I heard there was a tunnel where a fancy secret train ran between the Communist Party’s headquarters and the palace. And I had this vision I’d find it,” Bernatowicz says.