Sunday 24 November 2013

Buzludzha, the flying-saucer-monument in the Balkan mountains, sad part of our history

 I was not sure if I would like to blog about this very special place in Bulgaria. Before I went to Buzludzha I felt it is a very sad part of the recent Bulgarian political history. The UFO-like looking communist monument Buzludzha(or Buzludja, "Бузлуджа" in Bulgarian) was opened officially in 1981, costed around 7 million euro (biggest part was donations from all Bulgarian citizens) and was a shining start of the communist memorials in Bulgaria, its is still the biggest ideological monument in Bulgaria. It took 7 years to finish the project and a lot of artists were involved in the interior decoration. The huge "spaceship" (called also "flying saucer" because of its unusual shape) is located at peak Buzludha in the Balkan mountains at 1444m height. It was used for less than 10 years for different meetings and gatherings, one big one every summer with over 40.000 people. Unfortunately I have never seen it myself in its glory and original state. Below you will also only see it in its current state: abandoned, vandalised, and devastated...

After 1989 when the power change took place the monument was closed for public, which however did not stop vandals to steal the expensive marble, colourful glass and other building materials from it....After no maintenance for over 20 years (the building is 35 years old) the state is tragic. The ceiling is falling apart, the inside of the big meeting hall is shattered into pieces, few mosaics have survived and ONLY the very spooky+huge red circle ceiling (with hammer&sicle and the communistic motto "Proletariat from all countries: get united!") still supervises everything and everyone from above. The only possitive thing about the current state is that this monument made it in the TOP 10 list of abandoned places in Europe... End of 2011 the goverment gave the monument back to the Bulgarian Socialistic Party, so lets hope that this monument will be restored and receive the respect it deserves.





10 comments:

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Its very sad to see a building in a state like this, however it would likely take millions more to restore it. A difficult dilemma.

Koryn said...

You're right. This is such a sight to see. Are there no plans of restoring this place?

Joop Zand said...

Hi Jana

Thats a wonderful post....you have made very good photo's.

Wish you a nice monday.

Greetings, Joop

thanks for your comments

Unknown said...

Grate article! You almost make me cry, again!

Unknown said...

Great photos! Keep them coming!

LilliStJohn said...

It is sad to see history lose itself and become in this state. I am simply amazed you captured some of the artistic value on the walls. I was amazed to see how the pieces from the ceiling were all gone except for the center and this room must have been quite a place to sit and think - perhaps it will be restored?? I also see the windmills working in the background like the ones spreading throughout our provinces. Wonderful post Jana and thank you so much for the history. Have a wonderful day :)

Zenserly said...

I sincerely hope the place gets restored and get the respect it deserves. From afar its destruction isn't evident. It must have been heartbreaking being inside and seeing how much it has been vandalized.

On a lighter note, visiting your page always makes me eager to someday travel the world...

Have a great week! :)

Dietmut said...

Jana, een heel interessant bericht.
Dank je wel, ook voor de foto's. Zo leren wij altijd iets over de wereld om ons heen.
Groetjes Dietmut

Kristie said...

How sad :-( that people would vandalize and paint graffiti. Such an expensive and elaborate building. This was a very interesting post. I had no idea any such building in Europe like this existed. I hope it is restored.

Jana said...

dear all thanks for your kind words....
@Koryn: no information/plans at the moment known, but I do hope that it will be possible;
@Lily: indeed, I was happy to see that some of the art-mosaic-work was still there&not destroyed so I concentrated to captured the left pieces;