Also known as the Bulgarian "UFO", the monument building receives mixed views and attitudes in the social space of the Internet. On the one hand, it represents the past greatness of a bygone era of communism in Bulgaria, and on the other... pride and praise. It is still ours, our history and an architectural gem, despite its condition and political burden. The monument still attracts attention and invites tourists from Bulgaria and all over the world who wish to see and photograph the remains of the majestic building against the background of the incredibly beautiful hill.

Every year, the number of adventurers from all over the world come to us with the sole purpose of visiting Buzludzha, is increasing more and more. Science fiction is written, stories and legends are told about the crumbling communist monument.

In 2015 "Project Buzludzha" Foundation, founded by arch. Dora Ivanova in order to protect the Buzludzha monument. Thanks to the persistence in this cause in 2018. the monument was recognized by Europe Nostra, the largest European cultural heritage organization, as one of the 7 most endangered cultural sites in Europe. In 2019 the monument received funding of $185,000 from the Getty Foundation in order to prepare a Conservation and Management Plan, with project partners being "Project Buzludzha", ICOMOS, UASG and TU Munich. Learn more about the project here at Facebook.

 

 

3 years ago we made a drone video showing the condition of the building from the outside before the restoration:


The roof of Buzludzha is one of the elements of the building that arouse the greatest interest, therefore the foundation today wishes to remind us of the activities to secure it in 2022.


🏗The roof is a metal structure composed of 16 radial ribs, 5 polygonal rings, as well as a middle solid ring (circle). On top of this foundation were placed layers of sheet metal, insulation batting and clapboards, covered with sheets of copper sheeting. After the roof loses the copper sheet coating, the remaining layers and the metal structure of the roof are exposed to the negative influence of severe weather conditions.

🧹Cleaning and securing the roof was a key step towards opening the monument to visitors last year and it has become a reality.
Overcoming difficult terrain conditions, changeable weather and strong winds, the team of mountaineers coped with the task flawlessly. The debris of rotting clapboards, crumbling wadding and sagging sheet metal that created a hazard had been cleared.
🔩The metal structure was revealed and the study became possible. The need to strengthen the structure can only be established through a thorough structural survey, which will allow the design and construction of a new roof covering at a later stage.
The foundation's fundraising campaign continues, you can support them at: http://www.buzludzha-project.com/support

You can see more photos of the project work here: fb/buzludzhaproject/photos/