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All Bulgaria Kazanlak Buzludzha Monument
AO Edited

Buzludzha Monument

An abandoned saucer-shaped monument in the Bulgarian mountains.

Kazanlak, Bulgaria

Added By
Christopher Linton
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  Dylan Thuras for Atlas Obscura
The Buzludzha Monument   Airton Morassi / Atlas Obscura User
View of Buzludzha Monument.   http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/12/buzlu...
The ‘Flying Saucer’ by night   http://www.ninjito.com
At the foot of the peak.   http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/12/buzlu...
Behind the ‘Red Star’   http://www.ninjito.com
at the front stairs   Kristo Pantera
Budludzha at the fog   Kristo Pantera
Buzludzha Monument   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Buzludzha Monument   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
the top from inside   Kristo Pantera
at the back of the builbing in the fog   Kristo Pantera
Buzludzha monument   Scroch
The Buzludzha Monument - Interior   Airton Morassi / Atlas Obscura User
The Buzludzha Monument - The roof   Airton Morassi / Atlas Obscura User
Inside of the abandoned monument.   http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/12/buzlu...
Entrance to the monument.   http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/12/buzlu...
Another view from inside of the monument.   http://buzludja.com/EN/history.php
  pietrotovaglieri / Atlas Obscura User
  pietrotovaglieri / Atlas Obscura User
2017   newtonpix / Atlas Obscura User
Buzludzha Monument   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
  History Fangirl / Atlas Obscura User
  History Fangirl / Atlas Obscura User
Bird’s Eye   nancohoogstad / Atlas Obscura User
  nancohoogstad / Atlas Obscura User
May 2023   DMStephenson / Atlas Obscura User
Roof seeking roofer   nancohoogstad / Atlas Obscura User
First look   aliyazk / Atlas Obscura User
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About

On the remote Buzludzha peak in the mountains of Bulgaria stands an unusual abandoned monument.

The peak itself was the site of a battle between the Bulgarians and the Turks in 1868. In 1891 a group of socialists lead by Dimitar Blagoev met on the peak to plan for Bulgaria’s socialist future.

To celebrate these events, the government in power during the height of Soviet influence decided to erect a monument commemorating socialist communism.

Work on the monument began in 1974, and was undertaken by units of the Bulgarian Army assisted by numerous artisans responsible for the large statues and murals. Large images of Lenin and Marx looked over the arena built for state functions and celebrations. Above it all blazed a red star-shaped window in honor of Soviet Russia.

After the government’s fall from power in 1989, the site was abandoned and left open to vandalism. The main entrance has been sealed and therefore closed to public. However, there is still a little way to get into the building on the right hand side of the building. Inside the Buzludzha Monument, most of the artwork has been removed or destroyed, but the concrete structure still stands against the elements. 

A preservation team worked to get the monument listed as one of the seven most endangered heritage sites in Europe, and plans to preserve and restore the monuments are underway. 

A guard has been put in place 24/7, so it is no longer possible to break inside. Visitors are still encouraged to visit the outside to experience the unique architecture.

Related Tags

Abandoned Monuments Soviet Architecture Architecture Architectural Oddities Ruins Communist Monuments Brutalism

Know Before You Go

Approximately 12 km down a side road from the Shipka Pass. As of January 2018, guards have been placed at the site to deter urban explorers from illegally enter the building. They are on duty 24/7.

Community Contributors

Added By

ronin

Edited By

michelle, Rachel, SkareMedia, Pants...

  • michelle
  • Rachel
  • SkareMedia
  • Pants
  • valentinruest
  • Mike Portanova
  • mizar
  • History Fangirl
  • mariaangelova
  • kweks
  • Kristo Pantera
  • Meg
  • Airton Morassi
  • pietrotovaglieri
  • newtonpix
  • vasilisapremudra
  • nancohoogstad
  • DMStephenson
  • aliyazk

Published

August 5, 2013

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Sources
  • Wikipedia: Buzludzha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzludzha
  • Artificial Owl: Buzludzha the Abandoned Communist Concrete Flying Saucer From Bulgaria: http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/12/buzludzha-abandoned-communist-concrete.html
  • Travelet: Abandoned Complex in Bulgaria: http://www.travelet.com/2010/11/abandoned-complex-in-bulgaria/
  • http://www.vagabond.bg/bulgaria-travel-mob/948-night-on-bald-mountain.html
  • http://www.vagabond.bg/high-beam/2117-derelict-bulgaria-part-2.html
  • How to get into Buzludzha: http://www.dont-complain.com/2014/02/04/buzludzha-buzludja/
  • https://vagabond.bg/fsi/en/all-books/item/111-a-guide-to-communist-bulgaria.html
  • http://7mostendangered.eu/sites/the-buzludzha-monument-bulgaria/
  • https://sofiaadventures.com/how-to-get-to-buzludzha-day-trip-communist-ufo-bulgaria/
Buzludzha Monument
5005
Kazanlak, 6150
Bulgaria
42.736023, 25.393633
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Nearby Places

Shipka Memorial Church

Shipka, Bulgaria

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kazanlak

Kazanlak

Bulgaria

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Shipka Memorial Church

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Photo of Kazanlak

Kazanlak

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