Slava, Soviet submarine museum in Beloslav, Bulgaria.
Slava is a Soviet-era submarine turned museum vessel moored in Beloslav, on the shores of Varna Lake in Bulgaria. The vessel is divided into several compartments, each preserving original equipment and restored crew areas that cover different operational functions.
The submarine was built in 1959 in the Soviet Union and sailed under the name Leninski Komsomol for decades. After the Cold War ended, it was transferred to the Bulgarian Navy and renamed Slava in 1991.
The submarine shows how crews lived and worked in very tight spaces during Cold War operations. Visitors can walk through the galley, sleeping quarters, and command room, which still look much as they did when the vessel was in service.
The passageways on board are narrow and the stairs between compartments are steep, so flat, comfortable shoes are a good idea. Those who feel uneasy in tight, enclosed spaces should know that most of the visit takes place below deck.
Before being handed over to the Bulgarian Navy, this submarine was the first vessel in the world to reach the North Pole under the ice in 1959. A plaque inside marks that voyage, which drew worldwide attention at the time.
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