WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?

Mon, 08/06/2012 - 13:19

One of the ugliest human-made follies in Bulgaria and possibly in southeastern Europe, a monument meant to bolster "national consciousness" and make Bulgarians proud of their history, was made in 1981, ahead of a major Communist Party congress.

where in bulgaria are you 70.jpg
© Anthony Georgieff

Few took it seriously and it was unflatteringly dubbed "The Fallen Messerschmitt," indicating its visual similarities with the German fighter aircraft that had gained notoriety during the Second World War for its exceptionally threatening looks.

Just a few years later it was already beginning to crumble, but so did Communism and no one paid attention – or cash, to upkeep it.

At the moment it is still in situ, falling apart and causing real danger to passers-by, although there are plans to dismantle the most hazardous parts of its top.

Where in Bulgaria are you?

Issue 70

Commenting on www.vagabond.bg

Vagabond Media Ltd requires you to submit a valid email to comment on www.vagabond.bg to secure that you are not a bot or a spammer. Learn more on how the company manages your personal information on our Privacy Policy. By filling the comment form you declare that you will not use www.vagabond.bg for the purpose of violating the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria. When commenting on www.vagabond.bg please observe some simple rules. You must avoid sexually explicit language and racist, vulgar, religiously intolerant or obscene comments aiming to insult Vagabond Media Ltd, other companies, countries, nationalities, confessions or authors of postings and/or other comments. Do not post spam. Write in English. Unsolicited commercial messages, obscene postings and personal attacks will be removed without notice. The comments will be moderated and may take some time to appear on www.vagabond.bg.

0 comments

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.

Discover More

where in bulgaria are you
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
Connecting the two small towns of Ardino and Dzhebel, both overwhelmingly populated by ethnic Turks, the narrow road is an endless succession of sharp turns and switchbacks, each of which revealing wide vistas over the small villages – hamlets, really – dot

where in bulgaria are you
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
It is a tomb, possibly belonging to a king, elaborately decorated with frescoes and sculptures of women. Made of limestone, the women have disproportionate bodies, intricately carved dresses and sturdy faces with wide-opened eyes, which mesmerise.

where in bulgaria are you.jpg
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
Generations of East Europeans grew up with Doc, Mack, Dora Flood, Lee Chong and the boys, and though few if any could set foot in the real California they imagined Monterey and Salinas epitomised exactly the opposite of what their own drab lives held for th

where in bulgaria is this fortress
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
Originally it was erected in Late Antiquity-Early Middle Ages, but was almost completely destroyed by the Ottomans in the 15th century. So, what it is that you see today?

where in Bulgaria are you
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
Though it is Orthodox Christian, it bears little resemblance to Bulgarian churches of the same period – simply because it was designed, constructed and consecrated by... Russians.

where in bulgaria
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
Sometimes they are "parked" in the middle of villages, in one or two instances inside Communist-era housing projects, often they will be the first to greet you as you drive into some Bulgarian town.

where in bulgaria is this place
WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
The Thracians were able craftsmen. The gold and silverware they produced was exquisite – and is now a priced treasure in Bulgarian museums. They were also great winemakers.