Buzludzha is a historical peak in the Central Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria and is 1,432 metres (4,698 feet) high. In 1868 it was the place of the final battle between Bulgarian rebels led by Hadji Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha and the Ottoman Empire.
The House-Monument of the Bulgarian Communist Party (or informally, the Buzludzha Monument) was built on the peak by the Bulgarian communist regime. It commemorated the events of 1891, when a group of socialists led by Dimitar Blagoev assembled secretly in the area to form an organised socialist movement that led to the founding of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Party, a forerunner of the Bulgarian Communist Party.
Construction of the monument began on 23 January 1974, under architect Georgi Stoilov: a former mayor of Sofia and co-founder of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria. TNT was used to level the mountain peak into a stable foundation, reducing the mountain's height from 1,441 metres (4,728 feet) to 1,432 metres (4,698 feet). The monument was built at a cost of 14,186,000 leva, which by today's rates is roughly equivalent to $35 million. The monument was opened on 23 August 1981, and since 1989 hasn't been maintained by the Bulgarian Government.
We arrived here about lunchtime on a Sunday, and navigating the mountain roads (most of which was spent going sideways round corners in a shitty Renault Clio) we made it and parked up. The trek up is monumental - the snow was several feet deep, and it seemed to go on forever. Eventually we made it, and i'd have done it a thousand times over for the view at the top. It was incredible. We didn't hang around making our way in - externals could be done later, but the main room was what I really wanted. We spent a couple of hours inside, enjoying the views and there was only one thing left - the tower. I done this part solo, and 31 rusty metal ladders later I made it to the top. The view was absolutely breathtaking. It was so peaceful, and after climbing onto a concrete pillar I just sat there for a while - taking in the view. I snapped a few pics and started the climb back down. By the time we made it outside there were some other explorers trying to get in, so after a brief hello and a few externals we started the journey back down. 
As always, thanks for looking!
