Administrative Centre of the former Lenin Steelworks

The Administrative Centre of the former Lenin Steelworks is counted among the best examples of socialist realist architecture in Poland. Its was constructed from 1952 to 1955 and followed the design of Janusz Ballenstedt, Janusz Ingarden, and Marta Ingarden. The solutions applied here, although they originated in the 20th century, bring to mind the Renaissance. It is not a coincidence as the art of socialist realism was to be "national in its form". It was believed that it was Renaissance that had been dominant in Poland, and therefore the buildings of the Administrative Centre of the Steelworks received crenellated parapet walls with turrets, and the interiors of the buildings had coffered ceilings. A special attraction of the interiors that is unfortunately only made available to visitors on rare occasions is the original furniture, including the chandeliers, and candelabra from the 1950s. Due to the links with Renaissance palace architecture, the centre is popularly known as "the Doge's Palace" or "the Vatican".