The monument was designed by sculptor Alyosha Kafedzhiyski and architect Kamen Goranov.
It took four years to complete, with construction ending in 1978.
The central concrete wings weigh approximately 10,000 tons.
The interior once contained a 'Hall of the Victorious' and administrative offices.
Beneath the monument lies a concrete bunker system originally designed to serve as a civil defense shelter.
The site was officially inaugurated with a massive firework display and commemorative events during the communist era.
It is one of the most prominent examples of socialist monumentalist architecture remaining in Bulgaria.
The surrounding park features remnants of abandoned lighting fixtures and historical landscaping from the 1970s.
The Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship is a massive concrete complex located on Turna Tepe hill in Varna, constructed in 1978 to commemorate the historical alliance between the two nations. The structure features a central concrete 'wing' shape stretching 48 meters in height, flanked by two giant stone figures representing Soviet soldiers and Bulgarian women. Access to the monument is provided by the 'Staircase of the Winners,' consisting of 301 concrete steps leading from the foot of the hill to the base. The site was once equipped with a sophisticated internal light and sound system, as well as a bunker complex and underground galleries. Today, the monument remains largely abandoned and in a state of decay, serving as a site for urban exploration and panoramic views of the city and the Black Sea. It is officially managed by the Varna Municipality, though it remains fenced off to the public due to structural instability. Visitors typically view the exterior by climbing the hillside or traversing the surrounding park area.
From the top of the 301-step staircase looking upward toward the wings for the most imposing architectural angle.
Bring sturdy footwear, as the surrounding park paths are uneven and often overgrown.
Exercise caution near the base of the structure, as falling concrete debris is a known hazard.
Visit during the daytime to ensure clear visibility, as the area lacks artificial lighting.
Do not attempt to enter the interior of the monument or the bunker system, as they are structurally unsafe and formally closed to the public.
The site is permanently closed to public interior access, though the exterior grounds remain accessible as an open urban space.
