The rooftop above the Stalinist tower

The Palace of Culture and Science, a 237-meter Stalinist skyscraper given to Poland by the Soviet Union in 1955, has a public observation deck on the 30th floor. From here, the rebuilt Old Town (completely destroyed in 1944 and reconstructed from 18th-century paintings), the Vistula, and Warsaw's modern glass towers are visible together in one panorama. The Praga district on the Vistula's east bank, historically the poorer side, faces west toward the Old Town — the riverside promenade there gives a view of the reconstructed Warsaw skyline across the water at sunset. The Old Town Market Square, one of the most complete post-war reconstructions in Europe, is best photographed in morning light before 8am. At 52°N, golden hour runs around 57 minutes in summer.