Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship — Attraction in Varna

The Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship, located on Turna Tepe Hill in Varna, is one of the most striking remnants of Bulgaria’s socialist past. Completed in 1978, this imposing concrete structure was built to commemorate the alliance between Bulgaria and the Soviet Union during and after World War II. Towering over the city and the Black Sea coast, it was once a powerful symbol of political unity and ideological solidarity.

The monument’s design is bold and unmistakable—massive granite figures of Soviet soldiers and Bulgarian partisans rise out of the hillside, facing the sea. Their stoic expressions and dramatic postures evoke strength, determination, and a shared revolutionary spirit. Visitors reach the top by climbing 300 wide steps, once called the “Staircase of Victory,” lined with now-overgrown greenery, adding a haunting beauty to the approach.

Inside the structure, there was once a museum and a fire that symbolically burned eternally, though both have long since been abandoned. Today, the monument stands as a ghostly relic, its concrete walls weathered by time and graffiti, yet still commanding respect and curiosity.

Though no longer maintained as a state monument, it continues to attract tourists, history buffs, and urban explorers. It stirs complex emotions—pride, nostalgia, and contemplation about Bulgaria’s past alliances and shifting ideologies.

The Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship is more than a historic structure; it's a piece of living memory, layered with history, meaning, and striking architecture. It remains a must-see for those interested in Bulgaria’s 20th-century history and...

The idea for the monument was first pitched in 1958, as a memorial to Russia’s support of Bulgaria during the 1828-29 Russo-Turkish War. During that conflict, the Siege of Varna had lasted for two months. After landing on the coast north of the city, Russian forces established their camp on a nearby hill named Turna Tepe, as they battled the Ottoman forces who held the city.

The monument was to be built on the same spot where the Russian forces had been stationed; and which later became a mass grave for all those who fell in the battle. Construction of the monument commenced in late 1974, and 27,000 volunteer workers toiled for four years to create the structure and the 400 square metre platform on which it stands.

More than 10,000 tonnes of concrete, and 1,000 tonnes of armature iron were used to create the monument. A large bronze cube was constructed in front of the structure, burning with an eternal flame fed by pipes hidden in the concrete platform beneath.

A total of 180 floodlights were positioned to illuminate the monument at night, so that it would be visible even by ships far out in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, a public address system set up in the park greeted visitors with Symphony № 7 by the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich.

The monument fell into disuse after the political changes of 1989. Today, it is heavily vandalised and has been stripped bare, leaving little more than graffitied...

The friendship between the Bulgarians and the Soviets is obviously no longer what it used to be. And this can be easily seen by visiting this monument. To visit it you need to climb a bunch of steps to a high place where there is a concrete colossus. Once there you have a pretty beautiful view over the city.

But what do we have here: there are 4 soldiers on one side. One of them has a pink cap !!! On the other side are three women who offer the soldiers something: one holds a loaf of bread in his hand, the other a flower. And the third you see for yourself what she offers.

Unfortunately, the monument is now abandoned. The steps have deteriorated. There are also some steps that lead to a room under the...