Buzludzha Monument — Attraction in Kazanlak

In 1868, Buzludzha was the final battle place between a band of Bulgarian rebels and forces from the Ottoman Empire. Fast forward twenty three years to 1891 and a group of socialists assembled here secretly to form an organised socialist movement that led to the formation of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Party. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, when hardline Marxist-Leninist members split from the BSDWP and formed the soon-to-be ruling Bulgarian Communist Party it would eventually become an obvious place to build the headquarters for the regime. A symbol of strength, power and of historical significance, the construction of the House-Monument of the Bulgarian Communist Party or Buzludzha monument as it is commonly now known began in 1974. The Brutalist building was eventually finished in 1981 and by 1989 the fall of communism in Bulgaria saw it close its doors to government officials for ever more.

​To this day, people routinely break in to explore the dilapidated interior. Over recent years, the building has become extremely dangerous and security measures have supposedly been put in place to prevent entry. When we visited, evidence of people sledgehammering concrete walls and basements to enter was clear. We decided not to try our luck - it looked pretty dangerous and we’re usually totally up for this kind of thing.

​If you are interested in going in, many hostels in the area are rumoured to give guided tours of the building inside and out.

​Whatever you think of the building, it’s an extremely impressive piece of architecture when you’re stood beneath it. I hope that the government will one day wish to preserve the building for future generations to visit and to serve as a reminder not to return to the darker places in...

The Buzludzha Monument, perched atop a peak in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria, stands as a striking relic of the country’s communist past. Officially known as the House-Monument of the Bulgarian Communist Party, it was completed in 1981 to commemorate socialist efforts and the founding of the party. Architecturally, the structure resembles a massive concrete UFO, with its circular hall and towering spire making it one of the most unique and haunting monuments in Eastern Europe.

Despite its decaying state, Buzludzha’s raw, brutalist design and its isolated mountaintop location give it an eerie yet captivating presence. Inside, faded mosaics once depicted socialist realism, showcasing workers, leaders, and historical scenes in vivid detail. Now, the building is largely abandoned, its interior ravaged by time, weather, and vandals. Yet this deterioration has only added to its mystique, attracting urban explorers, photographers, and history enthusiasts from around the world.

The monument reflects both the ambition and the downfall of Bulgaria’s communist era. While it was meant to inspire unity and pride, today it serves as a powerful symbol of forgotten ideals and shifting political landscapes. In recent years, there have been talks of restoration, aiming to preserve it as a cultural and historical site rather than a political symbol.

Overall, Buzludzha is more than a monument—it’s a fascinating intersection of history, architecture, and memory. Whether seen as a ruin or a masterpiece, it remains one of Bulgaria’s most thought-provoking and...

An outstanding place to visit if for no other reason than to say you've been to the spaceship on the mountain. It is very impressive building although it's now in a poor state and you can't go inside. In its day it would have been stunning from a architecture point of view. They do have some pictures of what the inside looked like originally and the mosaic work is so delicate and would have been stunning. The views were amazing and when you look up the mountain from the base you do get a sense of the projected power I think this building was designed for. Advice if you're heading here with Google maps head to the town of Shipla from there you can take the better road to the Monument, the original directions took us through the woods and a very poor road (1st or 2nd gear) only and very testing on the suspension. Update 23.08.23, went for another visit with friends to show them this amazing place, there is still no entrance to the inside of the building hopefully they'll open it up to guided tours soon?? The pictures of the inside that were on display have now been removed so you'll need to look on internet to find videos of the inside there are quite a few to choose from our friends were equally amazed as we were when we first visited, it would be good if some portable toilets were installed the number of visitors today was significantly more than our last visit I also wonder if a food & drinks truck would help for those who forget to take drinks with them...