THE GHOST OF COMMUNISM BULGARIA PRIVATE TOUR FROM SOFIA

From Freedom to Symbolism 

In the 1970’s, when the Bulgarian Communist Party were looking for a ‘memorial house’ to exhibit their history and heritage to their fellow citizens, they had needed not only a location that would show off its significant cultural importance, but would also cement the force of ideology power the Soviet Union that conveyed out into the world – they decided on Hadzhi Dimitar (formerly and better known as Buzludzha). 

In the past, it had been a meaningless hill in the middle of the Bulgarian landscape, until three events changed its course in the history books. In 1868, it became the inspiring battleground that held the rebellious fight against 500 years of Ottoman occupation. In 1891, it was the very ground where the first congress of the Bulgarian Communist Party would meet. Finally, in 1944 as the Soviet Union declared war and invaded Bulgaria, the peak saw conflict again as Bulgarian communist sympathizers fought the sections of the local Army. Construction began in 1974 with a TNT explosion to help level the top of Buzludzha. The peak lost 9 meters of land that day, but gained something more – the greatest monument to communist power the world had ever seen.

The Buzludzha Shrine

Opened in 1981, it was considered the communist Mecca attracting visitors from all over Europe. An enormous construction that resembles a mothership of extraterrestrial observation, yet commemorated the leadership of communism through its artisan mosaics. It was expensive and grand, yet the citizens chipped in through donations and the sale of stamps, and united in manpower with up to 6000 workers living on the hill for the six plus years. But just as time has no allies, the fall of communism in 1989 also brought an end to this ideological shrine. Time and nature (and a lot of vandalism) have not been kind, and now the sign on the front door says, “Warning: Entrance inside the monument without competent authorities permission highly prohibited.”

Why should you visit Buzludzha with us?

1. Architecture – whether you think of them as masterpieces or eyesores, the communists were known for their Brutalist builds, and this is as impressive as any other. The gray concrete and rusted steel bar constructions here at Buzludzha were revolutionary. 
2. Urbex Adventure – the years since the end of communism turned this monument into an abandoned wonderland. The plundering of everything valuable from marble flooring to the electrical cables has seen this once beautiful memorial transform into an Urbex goldmine. This ghost of communism is now just starting to be visited by adventurers and photographers from all over the world.
3. History – battles on Buzludzha inspired the Bulgarians to eventually liberate themselves from centuries of Ottoman rule. Bulgaria was then turned into a socialist state under Soviet occupation. The mosaics still clinging to the walls of the Monument House of the Bulgarian Communist Party are testament to these times. Private projects have been established to save and then restore these treasures.