Time Travel in Bulgaria: Buzludzha Monument

Total Read time: 4 Minutes

If   you   feel   allured   by   abandoned   buildings,   Buzludzha  will   become   your   new  magnet.  This  phenomenal  structure  rests  on  top  of  one  of  Bulgaria’s  highest  mountain  summits.  Constructed   in   a   seven-­‐year   venture   and   completed   in   1981   the   spaceship-­‐shaped  monument  became  an   icon  of   the  Bulgarian  communist  movement.  However,  after   the  fall  of   socialism  at   the  end  of   the  same  decade  Buzludzha  was  quickly  abandoned  and  left  to  nature  and  her  immense  powers.  

Its   circular   shape   gives   Buzludzha   a  supernatural   appearance.   Reclining   on   the  highest   peak   in   the   area   it   resembles   a  futuristic   outpost   overlooking   the   entire  mountain   range.   The   long   and   winding   tar  road  that  has  lead  up  to  the  building  for  over  40   years   is   rough   and   narrow.   The   first  indicator   of   the   socialist   atmosphere   that  rests   on   this   mountain   is   an   intimidating  monument   chiselled   from   raw   steel:  

Depicted  are  two  solid   fists  holding   lit   torches  as  big  as  a   two-­‐story  house.  They  mark  the   gateway   from   the   world   you   know   to   that   of   a   bygone   ideology.   From   there   the  direct  road  access  to  Buzludzha  is  obstructed  by  officials  who  are  probably  also  on  the  lookout   for   adventurers   in   proximity   of   the   building.   This   is  why  we   climbed   the   45-­‐degree   steep   back   hill   in   an   extreme   off-­‐road   vehicle   running   on   LPG.   Check   out   the  video  of  our  ascent.  

The  interior  of  the  Buzludza  monument,  to  which  access  has  been  restricted,  is  divided  into  a  lower  and  upper  level.  The  lower  level  serves  as  the  entrance  hall  and  gives  passage  to  all  other  areas.  Eroded  concrete  stairs  lead  up   to   the   fascinating   upper   section.   The  staircase   releases   you   into   a   massive,  perfectly   round   auditorium   crowned   by   a  suspended  roof.  Once  upon  a  time  politicians  would   come   here   to   debate   the   country’s  future  in  a  luxurious  ambience  but  instead  of  their  echoing  voices,  all  you  can  hear  today  is  the   winds   whistling   through   the   millions   of  

Tags:   abandoned   building,   Balkan   mountains,  Bouzloudja,   Bulgaria,   buzludja,   buzludzha,  Communism,   derelict,   flying   saucer,   monument,  socialism,  travel,  UFO,  urban  exploration  

cracks  and  holes  in  the  structure.  A  three-­‐meter  wide  service  corridor  winds  around  the  auditorium  looped  itself  by  a  spacious  gallery  that  permits  a  360-­‐degree  view  over  the  mountain  range  from  any  of  the  gaping  frames  that  once  held  colossal  windows.    

The   building’s   decay   is   a   tremendous  historical   loss   considering   the   treasures   it  was   furnished  with:   Enormous  mosaics   still  cover   the   walls   of   the   monumental   main  auditorium   and   gallery,   telling   Bulgaria’s  history.   The   persons   depicted   were  important   heroes   to   the   Bulgarian  communists.   Today   these   colourful   mosaics  remain  largely  intact,  damaged  only  here  and  there   by   ideological   antagonists   or   treasure  hunters.   Corridor   walls   used   to   be   covered  

top   to  bottom   in   red   silk   of  which  only   small   pieces   endured   the  moisture   and  winds  they   have   been   exposed   to   for   decades.   The   suspended   ceiling   is   fitted   with   an  undamaged  imprint  of  hammer  and  siecle,  a  symbol  to  an  abandoned  philosophy.    Nature   has   gradually   taken   back   what   used   to   be   hers:   Bricks   are   starting   to   show  between   the   thick   layers  of  plastering  and  sunlight  manages   to  enter   through  holes   in  the  roof  to  cast  a  mystic  light  on  the  dilapidated  artefacts.  Broken  tiles  constantly  swing  back  and  forth  aching  in  the  steady  mountain  winds  and  remind  you  that  the  roof  is  not  here  to  stay  for  another  40  years.  Sections  of  the  ceiling  have  come  down  and  pieces  are  scattered  everywhere.      The   building   and   its   original   purpose   tell   an  important   story   to   generations   of   the   future:  Ideology   drives   people   to   construct   icons   like  Buzludza   to  manifest   their   beliefs,   despite   the  fact   that   the   enclosed   principles   may   be  inapplicable  in  society.      Do   you   have   your   own   urban   exploration  experience   to   share?   Find   us   on   Facebook   or  Twitter  and  support  our  project: