PASTa

Fakten

• PASTa was being constructed in two phases. The lower, eclectic part designed by L. Wahiman, I.G. Ciason and B. Brochowicz-Rogoyski, was completed in 1904-1905 while the upper part, imitating a medieval castle tower was added in the years 1907-1910.
• Gained significant importance during World War II, when used to serve as communications center for the Nazis. To improve its defences PASTa got surrounded by bunkers.
• One of the most important mechanical buildings during Warsaw's Uprising in 1944. After 20 days of siege PASTa was captured by the Polish insurgents from the AK "Kilinski" battalion on August 20, 1944.
• The fights for PASTa on August, 1944 claimed at least 58 Polish insurgents and 56 Germans, another 115 were taken captive.
• Constructed by a Swedish company - Codergen, this was one of the first reinforced concrete constructions of this scale in Europe.
• The name PASTa was given after 1922, when the building became a telephone switchboard of "Polska Akcyjna Spólka Telefoniczna".
• After 1989 PASTa become a subject of a long struggle of Polish combatants, who would rather see this building under their possession. On November 9, 2000 their dreams fulfilled - PASTa was officially handed over to Armia Krajowa by Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek.
• This was the tallest building in Warsaw before World War One; surpassed by Prudential.
• The building is topped by a distinct signage of Independent Poland from the times of German occupation.