One of communist Bulgaria’s most famous remnants is the Buzludzha monument, sitting atop the historical namesake peak. The UFO shaped building, opened in 1981, is little more than a ruin nowadays, but it still attracts thousands of people with its unusual architecture, unique location, and the symbol it’s become to how we handle our past. That’s how it looks from afar and below is the view from up close.
I tend to agree with that one. It’s a shame it’s been left to deteriorate (by the democrats of the 90s who decided to distance themselves from the past) and little has been done to preserve the heritage, it could be such an incredible museum for instance. There are ideas and plans to restore it, but let’s see how far they go. Technically you’re not supposed to go in, but there’s ways to get around that…
The main atrium… what a spot!
Imagine the party meetings these guys must have had back in the day. When you’re standing right at the very center of the atrium, there is an incredible echo even with half the roof gone.
Mosaics. That left head was removed on purpose, obviously. There are more around the main hall.
The hammer and sickle symbol, alongside which it more or less says “Workers of the world, unite!” Class.
Which of course some graffiti masters have mocked 🙂
The big side windows give you an amazing 360-degree view. The windmills add a nice “old vs new” touch.
But if you really want to make things more fun, you have to go up the tower (better seen from this angle) 🙂 It’s not the most pleasant of trips given that for the majority of the 10-15 stories it’s quite claustrophobic, pitch dark (having a headlamp is a must, holding a phone won’t do as you need both your hands), moist, and the metal stairs are near vertical and quite slippery.
But then you reach the huge red star of the tower and you know it was worth it. The red star was three times larger than that at the Kremlin and has been claimed to emit light that could be seen from as far away as Romania in the north, and the Greece in the south. Crazy.
And then there’s this view. It’s unbelievable, the image doesn’t do it justice.
And from the other side. Notice the state of the roof of the main building below.
Tiny people.
Climbing on top of the ledge is a bit daunting, but so worth it.
Layers in late afternoon.
The Shipka monument in the distance. And the reverse view.
This was just a cursory post on this incredible place. If you’re curious to know more, there is plenty of information around the web on it, such as this post that I recommend.
On a side note, the song might seemingly not really fit with the images, but it’s called Atlantis which seemed quite appropriate to me… Also that sax is a killer 😉
In a Search of Balance 
These are fantastic, original photos! Thanks for the info, too!
You are certainly welcome, thanks for stopping by 🙂
This is such an interesting site, it’s absolutely facinating. I really wish it were restored, although I can imagine it would be very expensive..
The figure that’s circulating in the media is around €1.5M, which seems too low for me. Our Prime Minister had a recent meeting with the person who created one of the most exciting restoration plans/projects (whom I know) and has verbally said he’d do what he could to find that funding. Let’s see, politicians are big on talk 🙂
Wow that would be cool!
Reblogged this on things I've read or intend to.
Absolutely stunning!
I love the unity, the almost claustrophobic “hug” of this building. “You are a part of a big thing, but there is no escape of it”. It is graaand in all meaning of this word. What was the feel like inside?
It’s hard to describe to be honest. You feel part of history, something long gone (although technically it’s not that that long). There’s something looming in the air, yet you still want to explore. It’s definitely worth the trip!
Many people?
No, actually not that many go inside and even fewer climb the tower. Pretty much no one at the top if you make the trip. It’s nice, you get to experience it very personally.
Scary, but exciting. I saw couple of similar buildings in Russia. Did it function for along time? And, do you know, what is it gonna be?
It was opened in ’81 and considering the regime changed in ’89, I’d say it had a rather short life… I think the idea is to turn it into a museum of sorts. Obviously this may change, but I think it could be a place that draws tourists from all over Europe if done right. Keeping my fingers crossed.
amazingly written..i looove the images..beautifully captured
That’s such a cool capture of a slice of history – I love the photos… and the description of climbing up to the top.
Wish I had photos from the climb, but it was pitch dark and I don’t have a flash. Next time 😉
Reblogged this on The Missal and commented:
I am not at all a fan of communism, actually I worked to help destroy it in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. I’d still love to see it completely eradicated from places like China. Hell, I’d like to eradicate it the world over. Just to be honest.
That being said places like this should be preserved by turning them into something useful. Though you gotta admit, it makes one helluvah Vadding venue. And I love Vadding.
Really nice post with some incredible pics.
Thanks for the repost! And yes, totally worth vadding 🙂
Woah! This was great! 🙂
I love photog blogs and post filled with original pictures of places that, unfortunately I may never see myself.
If you are interested in Chinese History, check out my website. You will find what I wrote very fascinating.
Reblogged this on penscracthdot and commented:
amazing ..
I agree that it is a shame this building has been left to rot, but then again with such massive social change, the new government might have been worried that spending money to preserve something from the communist past might not be higher priority than stabilizing the country. I am amazed that so much of the graffiti is in English. I love photog blogs and blogs filled with unique pictures. I also like blogs of foreign locations that I am regrettably not going to be able to see myself.
Valid point. Let’s hope we can now see merit in restoring this to its previous state and preserving the heritage, not being ashamed by it.
I wish I can go there ad experience all this in person. Un adulterated awesomeness 🙆
Bulgaria’s not an expensive destination 😉 If you do every make it, drop me a line and I’ll tell you the best sites to see.
This is amazing!!!!!! A true adventure, and it seemed very rewarding! great pics!!
The architects of the past always impress me. With the creative abilities they pushed things to new heights
Indeed. Though I tend to think that modern architects also have incredible projects and ideas, it’s just that putting something like this together requires considerable resources that are much harder to obtain nowadays. Back in communist times the head of the party just said I want this done and the whole country was geared in that direction. Today acquiring funding can be a daunting task even for the bravest of architects.
I think the modern architects are phenomenal. Pushing the limits with new material and concepts.
Incredible! Those views 😮
So worth the climb! 🙂
Wow, excellent!
Unbelievable and incredible photos, very important to know where you came from so you can learn from past mistakes (and don’t do them a second time) and remember your greatest triumphs!
Word. It’s a shame more people don’t feel the same way.
Fabulous photo’s ……you can almost feeeeel the atmosphere:)
A very nice compliment, thank you 🙂
nice one 🙂
Incredible history with nice images
Incredible indeed!
really gorgeous! #isliandmpr.wordpress.com
That was a beautiful post! And the idea that you should never forget your past seems really important to me, and it’s something the building itself has done: it’s very modern, yet the mosaics are reminiscent of the way Orthodox idols were painted. The then-present and the past were mixed. Thanks for the beautiful photos as well 🙂
Great read and interpretation! Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Reblogged this on Still Another Photoblog.
Awesomeness! Panoramic delight! Thanks for sharing.
It really was. I wanted to do a 360 degree shot, but because of the odd tower structure, half the view was obscured.
Awesome photos and a very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
It’s really sad how we forget such amazing places. But wow. It was written really well and I loved the photos.
It’s really sad how we forget such amazing places. This was written really well and I loved the clear shots of images.
Not completely forgotten luckily 🙂
Brilliant article man! These photos are amazing.
Cheers, Bryan!
Brilliant post. I’m so glad I found your blog.
Thanks for the comment and follow!
Stunning pictures! Thanks so much for sharing!
Cheers,
T.
Awesome place must say
Reblogged this on attimi and commented:
EU eastern countries can reveal huge surprises… With the correct measure of sensitiveness, one can appreciate how past&present are mingled together, both in buildings and in people, too. I do appreciate your report, hope to find the way to something like that in the near future 🙂
I hope you do as well. Thanks for the comment and repost!
It’s beautiful,, very well written and I love all the pics 😊👏🏻👏🏻 work to be appreciated
Wouwww, this Is amazing
WOW! Thank you so much for sharing this piece of the world that I’ve never seen before. Your pictures and words were spot on!
And thank you for stopping by 🙂
Past is thread while life is needle..it follows every where
That’s a very apt analogy, actually. Thanks for that!
When i read those words. Getting a lot feelings from it. Good article and nice words.
Very beautiful and outstanding photos!!!
This was an excellent post!! I enjoyed every minute of it…keep it up!
Will do my best 😉
Reblogged this on reclusiveowlet.
This is amazing! I’m a new blogger and haven’t made it far yet but I love what your doing.
Perseverance, that’s the secret 😉 Keep at it and you’ll do great.
😶wow
Simply breathtaking, awe-inspiring, so grandiose! “Lurkers of the world unite.” I’m in love!
Yep, I love that hidden reference to Starcraft. At least I’d like to think it is.
The view at the top, the scenery was worth the risk…and thank you for posting the pics….
It certainly was!
Great pics.The pics are amazing .Thanks for sharing this .Makes me feel sitting on the other side of the globe as if I am seeing it LIVE!!!!!
That’s a very kind thing to say, much appreciated 🙂
Awesome photo story. It is a history of failed communism.
In a way it is, yes.
Love this post. Thank you for sharing…I would love to visit places like this someday.
You should certainly do that 🙂
Very nice!
Love the photos!
Thanks!
well written, so inspiring!
Thanks for the kind words!
These pictures are absolutely gorgeus,beautiful,stunning.Im just amazed.This is fantastic.I don’t even know what to write.I’m left speachless.
Hmmm Intersting
Just about the best abandoned building I have seen, yet! Amazing photos. I would love to visit.
It sure is something else 😉
Reblogged this on Design Catch and commented:
Something to Look At and understand.
This is amazing! So interesting and great photos!
now thats awesome…never forget you past indeed because not all things in the past are to be forgotten…
Super, sweet information that I never knew of. Thanks for the ride!
Awesome
Beeeaaaaauuuuttttiiifffuullll…. I can seriously imagine how worthy it would be to be at that spot!
Great article, the past has contributed to the present, it doesn’t necessarily define our future, however painful we out never forget the past…..this is where powerful stories come from.
Well said.
Wow, what a place! I’ve wanted to visit for some time, thanks for sharing these great photos!
Do you live in Bulgaria?
No, Scotland – which is the main reason I haven’t been!
Beautiful pictures
Very good! Marvelous!!!
beautiful
So interesting and great photos
Wow. Fascinating and amazing photos.