Impossible to miss if you’re touristing in Kraków, Poland near the Vistula River: a large, concrete building dominating the landscape, no idea what though somewhat architecturally. My initial thought was an apartment building except the many, identically windows would mean absolutely no privacy. Perhaps an office building? Maybe, though absolutely no interior lighting at any time except for the top floor. Abandoned? Something more sinister?
In fact, it’s a communist-era hotel built in the brutalist architecture style. Designed by Janusz Ingarden, construction began in 1978 and the hotel opened in 1989. By 2002, after the fall of communism in Poland, it had closed. A minor issue – perhaps – is that the rooms were too small as required by law. More substantial is the basement flooding from the Vistula. Likely other problems exist; regardless, the hotel is closed and essentially abandoned.
The building’s single occupant is the bar/restaurant Panorama Forum on the top floor, accessed by an elevator on the west side (away from the river). Supposedly the views are incredible; I say supposedly because they were closed for a private event when I finally attempted to visit. Oh well.
Though considered modern by communist standards – fully air conditioned, restaurants, meeting rooms, swimming pool, tennis courts, mini golf, travel agency, even automatic toilet flush – it moved into obsolescence fairly quickly. Its unique architecture makes it standout among communist-era buildings, such as the dozens of identical apartment towers built from the same blueprint, I’m not sure it’s worthy of any form of heritage protection.
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All images © 2025 Scott C. Sosna, all rights reserved.
