Communism in Warsaw

Tour of Warsaw — In the Footsteps of Communism

Discover Warsaw’s communist past and see what life was like under the regime. Explore monumental architecture and fascinating stories of survival, resistance, and change during the Cold War era — the complex legacy of communism in Warsaw.

• Tour of Warsaw — In the Footsteps of Communism
• Palace of Culture and Science — A Symbol of the PRL Era
• The Bazaar Under the Palace and the Marketplace on Parade Square
• What Happens in the Palace Today?
• The Ice Rink in Winter and Summer Walks Around the Palace
• What future awaits the Palace of Culture and Science?
• The Central Committee of the PZPR — The Heart of Communist Power
• Freedom of Speech Square — From Censorship to Free Expression
• Come With Me — I’ll Show You Communist-Era Warsaw!

Highlights: Palace of Culture and Science, Freedom of Speech Square, Central Committee of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR Headquarters) — viewed from the outside.

Tour duration: up to 2 hours.

Warsaw is a city where the history of communism still lives between gray prefabricated blocks and monumental socialist realist buildings. I invite you on a unique walking tour of Warsaw in the footsteps of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL), during which you will see places connected with that era. As a tour guide in Warsaw, I will explain where party decisions were made and where May Day parades once marched. Let’s go!

Palace of Culture and Science — A Symbol of the PRL Era

There’s no other way to begin — the Palace of Culture and Science is the most recognizable symbol of communism in Warsaw. This “gift from the Soviet people to the Polish people” was designed by Soviet architect Lev Rudnev, and its construction was completed in 1955. The Palace was the pride of the communist authorities — a powerful statement of alliance with the USSR — and it dominated the city skyline, visible from all the suburbs of the capital.

During the PRL era, the Palace was the center of political, cultural, and entertainment life in Warsaw. It hosted party congresses, official ceremonies, cultural events, celebrations of Polish-Soviet friendship, academic conferences, film premieres, concerts — even New Year’s Eve balls. It housed Warsaw’s largest performance venue — the Congress Hall — along with cinemas, theaters, museums, a public library, scientific institutes, and youth organization offices.

It was also here — on Parade Square — that May Day parades concluded. These were long, obligatory processions carrying banners and portraits of leaders, marching down Marszałkowska Street and Aleje Jerozolimskie. Their purpose was to demonstrate the unity and strength of the working class.

The Bazaar Under the Palace and the Marketplace on Parade Square

For decades, the area around the Palace functioned as a massive open-air market. As early as the 1970s and 1980s, market stalls stood on Parade Square selling clothing, electronics, pirated tapes, and cheap souvenirs. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the market grew even more, becoming one of the largest unofficial bazaars in Warsaw. Many older Varsovians still remember the famous “bazaar under the Palace.” It was finally dismantled in late 2008. Today, you might see flower stalls, outdoor art exhibitions, and street performers in its place.

What Happens in the Palace Today?

After the fall of communism, the Palace of Culture and Science remained an important place on Warsaw’s map, although its symbolism still stirs emotions. Inside, theaters and museums (such as the Museum of Evolution at the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Museum of Technology, which has been reopened) continue to operate, along with cinemas, offices, and conference rooms.

The Congress Hall has been undergoing modernization for many years. One of the Palace’s biggest attractions is the observation deck on the 30th floor, offering panoramic views of Warsaw stretching for many kilometers. During the PRL, the terrace was a major tourist draw and a staple of school trips from all over Poland — and it’s still frequently visited today by both Polish and foreign tourists.

The Ice Rink in Winter and Summer Walks Around the Palace

In winter, a popular ice rink operates in front of the Palace. In summer, the area around the Palace — including the Wisława Szymborska Passage, green alleys, and fountains — becomes a popular spot for meetings, walks, picnics, and outdoor events.

What future awaits the Palace of Culture and Science?

In free Poland, where the PRL era is mostly associated with communist repression, the Palace divides Varsovians. Some would like it torn down, others see it as an architectural gem and symbolic monument worth preserving — a piece of the city’s and country’s history. Today, the Palace of Culture and Science is like a time capsule. Step inside, look at the monumental marble, the socialist realist decorations — and you’ll feel the atmosphere of that bygone time.

During the tour, I’ll show the Palace of Culture and Science as one of the key attractions in Warsaw. It was built by the hands of thousands of workers, and the communist authorities proudly emphasized that this building was a symbol of Polish-Soviet friendship.

The Central Committee of the PZPR — The Heart of Communist Power

The next essential stop on the sightseeing route of Warsaw in the footsteps of communism is the former Central Committee of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR). This monumental building on Aleje Jerozolimskie was the command center of the country during that era. Here, party secretaries worked, decisions were made on five-year plans, press censorship, and the construction of new housing estates.

In the PRL, every word spoken within these walls carried weight — shaping the lives of millions of Poles. Today, the building houses the modern Central Tower office complex, home to banks — but its austere form still reminds us of the time when the entire country looked toward the Central Committee for party directives.

Freedom of Speech Square — From Censorship to Free Expression

The next stop is Freedom of Speech Square on Mysia Street. During the PRL, this was the headquarters of the Main Office for the Control of Press, Publications, and Performances — the infamous censorship bureau. Here, officials decided what could be printed in newspapers, what should be cut from books, and which films could be shown to the public. Since 2004, the site has been home to the Polish Press Agency, located in the modern Liberty Corner office building. In 2014, the Free Speech Memorial was unveiled at Freedom of Speech Square — commemorating the triumph of free expression over censorship. The project was sponsored by President Bronisław Komorowski, and the unveiling was attended by the publishing community, the presidential couple, and Warsaw’s mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.

Come With Me — I’ll Show You Communist-Era Warsaw!

If you want to feel the atmosphere of a bygone era, join my walking tour “Communism in Warsaw”. I’ll share stories you won’t find in textbooks and help you imagine what daily life looked like behind the Iron Curtain. Book your tour of Warsaw today! Get in touch with me and let me guide you through Warsaw — showing you places linked to communism and the everyday life of Varsovians during the PRL.