There are many around the world, but few are as unusual as this one. Sitting high in the mountains, this was once a symbol of political power. Now, it has been left to decay, hiding secrets from a time when it played a big role in .

was built by and opened in 1981. It is located on Buzludzha Peak in the Balkan Mountains and was designed as a propaganda symbol and a venue for political gatherings. The structure was carved into the mountain, with a circular shape and a 70-metre tower featuring a massive Soviet red star.

During the Cold War, it served as a headquarters for the Bulgarian Communist Party, hosting secret meetings, ideological training, and major state events.

The huge mosaics inside, covering 937 square metres, featured Lenin, Marx, and Bulgarian communist leaders.

Some believe the site was used for high-level intelligence briefings and diplomatic talks with Soviet officials.

Its remote location made it a perfect place for closed-door discussions, away from the public eye.

Despite its stunning design, the monument was abandoned in 1989 after the fall of Bulgaria's communist regime.

Since then, it has fallen into disrepair, with looters stripping copper from the roof and marble from the floors. Weather damage and vandalism have also destroyed large sections of the mosaics.

But even in its ruined state, Buzludzha remained one of Bulgaria's most visited abandoned sites.

Between 2015 and 2019, an estimated two million people visited the area. However, entry into the building is officially forbidden due to safety concerns, as the structure is unstable.

Efforts to save the monument have been ongoing for years. In 2018, it was named one of Europe's most endangered heritage sites by Europa Nostra, an organisation working to preserve historic buildings.

The Buzludzha Project Foundation, alongside international conservationists, has been working to stabilise the structure and protect what remains of the mosaics.

The project has even received funding from the Getty Foundation, and in 2020, work began to secure parts of the building.

Plans to reopen limited public access were suggested for the end of 2023, but delays have prevented this from happening.

As of today, the work seems to be completed but the site is not yet open to visitors.