Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum
Мавзолей на Георги Димитров | |
Stone | |
| Beginning date | 2 July 1949 |
|---|---|
| Completion date | 10 July 1949 |
| Dedicated to | Georgi Dimitrov |
| Dismantled date | 21–27 August 1999 |
| Architectural style | Socialist realism |
The Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum (
Construction
The white marble mausoleum was built in 1949 to contain the
Attempt to blow up the mausoleum
In 1956, 14 anti-communists prepared a bombing of the mausoleum during a May Day demonstration. Clock bombs would have exploded after the leadership of the Bulgarian Communist Party and the country came on the podium. The act, which was planned by Stoyan Zarev, was intended to draw the attention of the world media to Bulgaria. In addition to the Mausoleum, Zarev also planned to blow up five important ministries. The group encountered difficulties in implementing the plan and was greatly delayed, until they were uncovered and arrested by the KDS in February 1960.[2]
Maintenance and activities
The mausoleum was an object of police protection of paramount importance. The mausoleum was the center of state ceremonies in the People's Republic of Bulgaria, a place where foreign delegations lay wreaths when visiting the country and the state leadership from its rostrum receives the demonstrations and parades on the official holidays. The Bulgarian Land Force's National Guards Unit formerly performed public duties at the now destroyed mausoleum, in a ritual similar to today's changing of the guard at the Presidency. The guards at the mausoleum were part of Post №1, which was mounted on Sundays, Wednesdays, and on solemn occasions. Soldiers were selected from the Bulgarian People's Army as well as the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Interior. There were no cartridges in the rifles while on duty, as police were always on duty in the area.[3]
In 1974–1975 a major reconstruction of the mausoleum was carried out. The premises under the mourning hall were expanded and the air conditioning system was replaced, a plastically designed monumental door, the crystal chamber-sarcophagus and mosaics by Dechko Uzunov were installed .
Destruction
The mausoleum itself was destroyed by Prime Minister
In August 1999, the government made four attempts to demolish the building. The first three failed because they relied on a single powerful explosion. The building did not budge after the first two attempts and tilted only slightly after the third.[5] The fourth (and successful) attempt was carried out using a series of consecutive, less powerful explosions.
See also
References
- ^ "Bulgarians & Bulgaria" (in Bulgarian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. Archived from the original on 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2006-06-12.
- ^ Преживяното бъдеще, в-к Дума, 25 август 2006
- ^ Епицентър. "Караулното на първата гвардейска рота беше в банката". epicenter.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ "Communist bastion finally crumbles". BBC News. 1999-08-27. Retrieved 2006-06-12.
- ^ Video of third unsuccessful destruction attempt