Exploring the interior reveals an extraordinary and haunting experience. Decades of neglect, relentless weather, and vandalism have taken a severe toll on the structure. At the heart of the dome, a massive hammer and sickle still dominates the ceiling, while intricate mosaics depicting communist propaganda compete with layers of graffiti covering original murals of Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky. Thieves have stripped many roof panels, leaving parts of the building exposed to the harsh elements, accelerating its decay.

The monument’s history evokes complex emotions among Bulgarians. For some, Buzludzha is a symbol of oppression, its presence a painful reminder of a troubled era, and they advocate for its demolition. Others view it as an architectural marvel and a piece of history worth preserving.

As it stands, Buzludzha is a remarkable feat of design, engineering, and ambition. It is a powerful, if controversial, relic of a bygone era, and efforts to preserve it feel increasingly urgent as time and nature continue to claim it.