Alien Architecture: Inside former HQ Of Bulgarian Communist Party

Built on top of a mountain peak known as Buzludzha, which forms part of Bulgaria’s Central Balkan mountain range, the historic landmark stands at a whopping 1,441m above sea level.

Constructed in 1981, the headquarters was built with donations from the Bulgarian people and completed with the help of volunteers.

Photographer Ioanna Sakellaraki, 26, braved below freezing temperatures in January 2017 to explore the now abandoned monument.

She said: “The headquarters has been on my list for a while as an urban exploration photographer. It is one of the most breath-taking places I have visited, not only because of its historical importance but also exquisite architectural style.”

Acting as a time capsule, the landmark helps to give a glimpse into Bulgaria’s communist past and has been left abandoned since the fall of communism in the country in 1989.

The bold design of the building is highlighted further as you enter the landmark which boasts beautifully painted murals paying homage to important communist figures.

One of the most stand out features of the building is the giant communist symbol that acts as a centre piece in the middle of the former Communist Party headquarters.

Ioanna said: “The tiled murals with large images of Lenin and Marx tell a story from the past and overlook the impressive interior of the big arena. The massive tile of the communist symbol right in the middle of the dome is breath-taking.

“The dome itself is an exquisite creation adding to the character of this massive construction.”

Construction of the mammoth monument took the government seven years to complete and involved levelling the top of the mountain peak to create a platform for the foundation of the building.

The location of the headquarters was of great importance to the Bulgarian people, as it was the site of some of the country’s most historic moments.

Ioanna explained: “The peak itself was the site of a battle between the Bulgarians and the Turks in 1868.

“Also, in 1891 a group of socialists met on the peak to plan for Bulgaria’s socialist future. To celebrate these events, the government in power during the height of Soviet influence decided to erect a monument commemorating socialist communism.”

However by the end of the decade, communism in the country came to an abrupt end, partly due to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the massive impact it had around Europe.

With a capitalist government in charge of the country, many of Bulgaria’s communist landmarks were left abandoned and forgotten.

The former headquarters of the once powerful communist party has now fallen victim to years of vandalism and neglect with the current government showing little sign of wanting to do anything with it.

Ioanna said: “There are no apparent plans in place to renovate the building or surrounding area with little interest expressed by the present government in maintaining this monument to the past.”

The government’s nonchalant attitude towards the historic building does not seem to be shared among the local people.

She added: “Regarding the feelings of locals, I must say that on the top of the monument I met a group of students from Burgas - the second largest city in Bulgaria - who told me that according to them the monument is a vital part of the Bulgarian identity.

“It brings back to life communism which was both good and bad for their nation.”