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.
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.
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.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. This is such a sight to see. Are there no plans of restoring this place?
ReplyDeleteHi Jana
ReplyDeleteThats a wonderful post....you have made very good photo's.
Wish you a nice monday.
Greetings, Joop
thanks for your comments
Grate article! You almost make me cry, again!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteIt 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 :)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, visiting your page always makes me eager to someday travel the world...
Have a great week! :)
Jana, een heel interessant bericht.
ReplyDeleteDank je wel, ook voor de foto's. Zo leren wij altijd iets over de wereld om ons heen.
Groetjes Dietmut
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.
ReplyDeletedear all thanks for your kind words....
ReplyDelete@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¬ destroyed so I concentrated to captured the left pieces;