The abandoned communist monument on Buzludzha peak has gone viral on Instagram, and is now in 10^th position on the list of most visited abandoned buildings in the world.  

Data of the Alan Boswell Group insurance company which specializes in the insurance of abandoned buildings, show that in June 2024 alone, the monument got more than 18,000 hashtags #abandonedbuildings on Instagram, making it one of the most emblematic abandoned buildings, a magnet for adventure seekers and photographers from all over the world.

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The construction is a monumental symbol of the communist regime that has been going to ruin since the fall of communism in 1989, to become a favourite location for dark tourism fans. The huge dome is crowned with a red star, and inside there are numerous abandoned halls, stairwells and corridors. However, at the moment they are closed to the public for safety reasons. Steps are being taken to restore Buzludzha so it can become a museum or a cultural centre.

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Photos: buzludzha-project.com, BTA, BGNES

Compiled by Veneta Nikolova

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova