The monument is a spaceship-like structure, known as “Buzludzha,” was constructed in the 1970s, and served as the seat of the Bulgarian Socialist Party until communism thawed in 1990. It has remained vacant since—and, as such, is a popular destination for visitors drawn to abandoned places. Lately, it’s also become a flashpoint in a debate over the European nation’s attempts to reckon with its troubled history.
The Buzludzha Monument wasn't placed at random. Its location in the middle of the Shipka Pass witnessed a series of famous battles between Bulgarian rebels and the Ottoman Empire in 1868.
The historical significance of the site led the government to approve a large memorial to celebrate Bulgaria's communist progression. In 1981, after nearly eight years of construction, the Buzludzha Monument was unveiled.
The giant monument was open to the public and used for official parties and events until the collapse of the Soviet Union resulted in its closure in 1989.
Left to the elements, it only took a few years without maintenance for it to fall into disrepair. Today, rising numbers of intrepid travelers make the pilgrimage to explore this rotting shrine to communism.
Graffiti covers the exterior, with slogans like "never forget your past" and "enjoy communism" painted by the entrance, which has been bolted shut for years.
![](https://s2.save4k.ru/pic/OHS0nqcKoTs/mqdefault.jpg)