Peak in the Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria
Buzludzha (Bulgarian: Бузлуджа [ˈbuzɫod͡ʒɐ]) is a historical peak in the Central Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria. The mountain is located to the east of the Shipka Pass near the town of Kazanlak and is a site of historical importance. The peak is 1,432 metres (4,698 feet) high.[2] It was renamed to Hadzhi Dimitar (Хаджи Димитър) in 1942 but remains popularly known as Buzludzha.[3] The summit is limestone and granite. Its slopes are covered with grassy vegetation; its foothills and the neighbouring peaks sustain beech forests.[3] The peak's name derives from Turkish: buzlu 'icy'.
History
In 1868 it was the place of the final battle between Bulgarian rebels led by Hadzhi Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha[4] and forces of the Ottoman Empire. On 31 July, Hadzhi Dimitar and a band of 30 chetniks fought a losing battle against 700 Ottoman troops; only four Bulgarians survived.[5] Their action served as an inspiration for the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottomans ten years later; the decisive battle of that conflict was fought a few miles away at the Shipka Pass. The battle of Buzludzha inspired the renown Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev to write the poem "Hadzhi Dimitar":
He who falls while fighting to be free
can never die: for him the sky
and earth, the trees and beasts shall keen,
to him the minstrel's song shall rise…[6]
In 1891 the mountain was the site chosen for the first congress of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers Party (later the Bulgarian Communist Party) led by Dimitar Blagoev. In 1944 the peak was the scene of fighting between Communist partisans and detachments of the Bulgarian Army when the latter were attacked whilst operating there.[7]
Following a desire for a national monument at the peak to commemorate these events (proposed as early as 1898) the Buzludzha Monument was built between 1971 and 1981, by public subscription.[8] The site has several other monuments to its history: A statue of Hadzhi Dimitar, a relief of the 1891 Congress, and a monument to the partisans who fought there in 1944. In 1974, TNT blasting was employed to remove more than 15,000 cubic metres of rock and create a level foundation for building the new memorial house. As a result, the peak was lowered by 9 metres (30 feet) – from 1,441 metres (4,728 feet) to its current height of 1,432 metres (4,698 feet).[9]
Travel
Buzludzha can be reached by two side roads from the Shipka Pass:[10] either a 16 km (10 mi) road from Kazanlak in the south or a 12 km (7 mi) road from Gabrovo on the north side of the mountain.
In popular culture
The Buzludzha Monument has gained popularity in various forms of media and pop culture due to its distinctive and imposing architectural design, its historical significance, and its eerie abandoned state. Here are some ways in which Buzludzha has appeared in popular culture:
In December 2020 British pop-singer Rita Ora shot her new music video ‘Big’ Ora on Buzludzha Peak with permission from the local government.
Films and Documentaries: Several documentaries and short films have been made about Buzludzha, exploring its history, architecture, and current state of decay. One notable documentary is "Buzludzha: Memories of a Communist Past" by Alexander Markov, which delves into the monument's past and present.
Music Videos: Buzludzha's striking appearance has made it a visually captivating location for music videos. Some artists and bands have used the monument as a backdrop for their videos, which has contributed to its visibility. For example, the electronic music artist Kasabian filmed parts of their music video for "Bumblebee" at Buzludzha.
Photography: Photographers and urban explorers are drawn to Buzludzha's abandoned and decaying state. The monument's iconic aesthetic has been featured in numerous photo essays, books, and online galleries, making it a subject of fascination for photographers worldwide.
Video Games: Some video games incorporate Buzludzha's distinctive architecture into their virtual worlds. For instance, the popular game "Battlefield 3" includes a multiplayer map named "Epicenter," which is based on Buzludzha's interior.
Art Installations: Buzludzha has inspired various art installations and exhibitions, both in Bulgaria and internationally. Artists have used the monument's symbolism to explore themes related to history, ideology, and decay.
Social Media and Online Communities: Buzludzha has a presence on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where urban explorers and photographers share their experiences and images. Online forums and communities dedicated to urban exploration often discuss Buzludzha and provide information for those interested in visiting.
Tourism and Adventure Travel: Despite its abandoned and deteriorating condition, Buzludzha has become a destination for adventurous tourists and urban explorers who are intrigued by its history and architecture.
Adrien Minard, Bouzloudja. Crépuscule d'une utopie, Paris, Éditions B2, 2018.
