Hotel Forum
Krakow, Poland
Arc : Janusz Ingarden (1989)![]()
The Forum is the most recognisable Socialist Modernist / Brutalist landmark of Krakow. Built between 1978 and 1989 by the city's master architect, Janusz Ingarden, it was the most modern hotel in the city, and became part of the IHG and Accor chains after Poland re-opened to the West.
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It's stunning riverside location has been partly responsible for its demise. The Forum's basements fill with water every time the Vistula experiences a flash flood, causing concern about the structural integrity of the concrete behemoth. Furthermore, the ceiling of its rooms is lower than the current legal standards for a hotel in Poland.
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These issues make its operation as a hotel impossible, and so recently it has been used as a huge billboard, displaying adverts from major brands to the city centre across the river. It's public areas, however, have been converted to a series of lively bars and street food canteens, with ample outdoor seats and indoor shopping and entertainment areas.
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We visit the mighty, extremely photogenic Forum during my Poland Is Not Yet Lost trip![]()
explorabilia.co.uk/tours/poland-is-not-yet-lost/![]()
Two departures coming up this September. For info and bookings, visit the link, pm or email explore@explorabilia.co.uk
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