Bulgarian-Soviet friendship monument, Concrete monument on Turna Hill in Varna, Bulgaria.
The monument consists of 305 steps leading to a platform where four eleven-meter-tall concrete soldiers stand alongside three Bulgarian female figures. Inside are exhibition halls, multiple rooms, and a substantial bomb shelter accessible through broad steps beneath the main platform.
The monument was built in 1978 with the help of thousands of volunteers who transported massive amounts of concrete and reinforcing steel up the hillside. It was created as a memorial to the relationship between the two countries during the 20th century.
Inscriptions on the monument tell the story of historical ties between Bulgaria and Russia. The figures represent traditional hospitality through the display of bread and salt.
The site is accessible from Varna and sits on a hill overlooking the city. Wear sturdy footwear since climbing the numerous steps requires physical effort.
The monument originally featured a sound system playing classical music and over 180 floodlights that made it visible even from ships in the Black Sea. These technical features made it one of the most striking landmarks of the Bulgarian coast in its era.
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