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

Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the beheading of St. John the Forerunner

On August 29, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the death of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist - on this day the saint was beheaded. For the Church of Christ, Saint John the Forerunner is the greatest among the prophets, and therefore his..

published on 8/29/24 9:25 AM

Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop leads the festive liturgy in town of Delchevo, Republic of Macedonia

This morning, in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the town of Delchevo, in the Republic of Macedonia, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop led the holy liturgy, together with the superior of the Delchevo - Kamenichka..

published on 8/28/24 12:18 PM

Bulgarians mark the Assumption of the Theotokos feast in the old calendar

Today, August 28, Bulgarians in many parts of the country celebrate the Assumption of the Theotokos in the old style calendar along with almost the entire Orthodox world.  The Assumption of the Theotokos glorifies the immense love of the Mother of..

published on 8/28/24 9:01 AM