Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

It has been 24 years since the mausoleum of the communist leader Georgi Dimitrov was destroyed

Photo: archive

The mausoleum of former Chairman of the Council of Ministers and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party Georgi Dimitrov was demolished 24 years ago today. One of the symbols of the totalitarian regime in Bulgaria was demolished after several failed attempts. The demolition operation began on August 21, 1999. The massive building did not collapse after the first two blasts and tilted only slightly after the third. The fourth (and successful) attempt was carried out using a series of consecutive, less powerful explosions.

According to the then Deputy Social Minister Teodor Dechev, who was in charge of the safety of the operation, it was difficult to demolish the building, because it was constructed as a bomb shelter.

The mausoleum was completed in just six days. Its construction started on July, 3, one day after Georgi Dimitrov’s death. The embalmed body of the communist leader was placed in the building. After the democratic changes in the country, on July 18, 1990, Georgi Dimitrov’s remains were removed from the mausoleum and cremated.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The Captain's Memorial

The Bulgarian Land Forces celebrate their holiday

The Bulgarian Land Forces are celebrating their holiday today. A statement from the Ministry of Defense's press center notes that November 19, 2024 marks 139 years since the glorious victory at Slivnitsa and 146 years since the establishment of..

published on 11/19/24 9:17 AM

"Ten Great Friends of Bulgaria" tells about foreigners who left their mark on Bulgarian history

The book "Ten Great Friends of Bulgaria" by journalist Milena Dimitrova will be presented this evening at 6pm at the Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library in Sofia. The book recounts the lives of ten people of different nationalities and eras, whose..

published on 11/19/24 8:40 AM

Historian Matthew Sears talks about the influence of Thracian heritage on ancient Athens

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, USA, is hosting a webinar today entitled  Who Were the Thracians? Professor of Classical and Ancient History Matthew Sears will discuss the Thracian legacy and its influence on ancient Athens. Sears is the author of..

published on 11/19/24 7:10 AM