Olsztyn Planetarium, 1st Modernist & National Historic Building of Poland

The Olsztyn Planetarium has become the first modernist building in the city to be added to the national list of historic and protected buildings in Poland. The building was opened on February 19, 1973 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus, the famous mathematician and astronomer who lived in the city for many years. “This is an exceptionally valuable example of post-war modernism. We have lost several buildings of this style in Olsztyn irretrievably, which is why the conservation office has taken steps to protect this facility,” said Bart?omiej Skrago, spokesman for the Warmia and Mazury Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments. The planetarium was designed by the Olsztyn team ?Miastoprojekt-Olsztyn’ led by Ludomir Gos?awski with the architectural form of the facility being created by Janusz Mi?cicki. The protection will cover the buildings shape, proportions and module planning, the architectural expression of the façade including the gate to the atrium and the entrance to its office. It also covers the open space between the building’s wings, the area around the stairs at the main entrance and the artistic works of Stefan Knapp and Henryk M?czkowski. The protection was granted after new office buildings began to obstruct the view of the planetarium. There are no immediate plans for renovation or restoration to the building but there is a need to repair the roof.