A Walking Tour of Communist Warsaw: Architecture & Daily Life
We trace Warsaw’s communist era (1945–1989) through the city center – Palace of Culture and Science, Grzybowski Square, Ministry of Agriculture, a milk bar – and talk about architecture, propaganda, daily life and opposition.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English, Spanish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Church of All Saints, Plac Grzybowski 3/5 Nearest public transport: 9 metro station; 7 metro station
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Warsaw guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run no matter the weather. High or low temperatures, rain or snow is not a reason for us to cancel our tours. We are always here for you. The only reason for cancellations are extreme weather conditions (like heavy storms…), guide's sudden sickness or no minimum number of people (5) to run the tour, but we will always let you know using the data you provided during registration for the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 18€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
The thing you simply cannot help not to notice when arriving in Warsaw is the Palace of Culture and Science. Despite the new development and skyscrapers built in the last two decades, the 46-floor Gotham-like colossus still remains the city’s icon. Let us tell you the story behind it: the story of Warsaw between 1945 and 1989. Rebuilt from a sea of ruins and transformed into the grey capital of the communist paradise: the People’s Republic of Poland.
Communism left its marks all over the city; it was meant to overshadow everything that was before and that was to come in the future. Let us show you some of the iconic post-war architectural landmarks and learn about their role in shaping a new kind of person – Homo Sovieticus. Hear a story of control, terror, and propaganda, but also of the absurdities of daily life under communism. Understand the everyday struggle to have a normal life in a situation that, from today’s point of view, was very abnormal.
We will talk about:
· everyday life in the People’s Republic of Poland
· the inner workings of communist propaganda
· examples of monumental architecture
· anti-communist movement
Highlights
- 1
Daily Life Under Communism
Discover the absurdities and struggles of daily existence in the People's Republic of Poland.
- 2
Palace of Culture
An iconic skyscraper, a controversial "gift" from Stalin that still dominates the Warsaw skyline.
- 3
Grzybowski Square
A historic square showing the contrast between pre-war architecture and post-war communist reconstruction.
- 4
Ministry of Agriculture
A monumental building and a prime example of the imposing Socialist Realist architectural style.
- 5
Milk Bar
A traditional Polish cafeteria, a culinary remnant of the communist era offering affordable meals.
6Communist Propaganda
Understand the mechanisms of control used by the state to shape public opinion.
Map
Church of All Saints, Plac Grzybowski 3/5 Nearest public transport: 9 metro station; 7 metro station
