Remnants of a bygone era
We all know what will happen when humans disappear from Earth. What will happen to buildings, streets and cities. To everything they have built for thousands of years.
Everything will sooner or later be surrounded and overgrown by vegetation and destroyed.
In one way or another. By itself under the pressure of time. Or because of climatic conditions and disasters. It will be inevitable.
But what about buildings and houses that will have the same fate not because they are abandoned by people and left to the whims of fate and climatic conditions, but for other reasons? What about houses that are still inhabited, but still face the fate I just mentioned?
Seeing such buildings and such places has a very deep psychological meaning and psychological impact, believe me. Every life experience has its own psychological influence on the person who experienced it. But visiting a place like this, and I'm not accidentally showing it to you once again, has its life and mental consequences.
I'm showing you here pure examples of the so called Stalin's Baroque monumental architecture, built in the middle of the previous century.
Once monumental glorious constructions. Today - collapsing and crumbling buildings.
So, if you ever forget again that everything in this world is transient, you may need to visit this place.
One generally needs to visit poor countries.
People from poor countries always have something to teach a person from a rich country who takes many things in his life for granted.
They can teach him many things about life and death.
Just like those buildings here.
You know, I'm so impressed with this place that I set out to find someone to ask about the people who inhabit it. The people who lived here and still live from the very beginning of the construction of these buildings and the whole city in general.
Well, I found this information and although it was completely expected in terms of meaning and content, I am quite disappointed.
I was expecting something different, something more meaningful in the history of this city and this country. Alas, this is not possible.
Because, can you imagine this - the buildings I am showing you are real palaces
They were built to look like palaces and were real palaces for their time - with extremely high ceilings and spacious rooms. But do you know what happened to them and what kind of people settled inside? When we talk about communism, what do you think?
I admit, I have not read any theory about communism. I have not read any history, any textbooks that our parents have been forced to read in the past.
But I know what this regime is, based on what I have heard, experienced and seen. What I was told.
And here is an example of fulfilling the communist standards of the past:
a kind of palaces were built.
And these palaces were inhabited by working-class families.
But no, don't think that these families lived in luxury and affluence.
That they could really enjoy the wide spaces and high ceilings of this construction.
Because not a single family was housed in a single apartment in each of these buildings. But a few.
So, two or three working-class families were accommodated in homes that probably have several bedrooms, but one bathroom and toilet, one kitchen, and so on - obviously, another typical idea of the commune-ism.
Which I personally think is quite disturbing.
Copyright: @soulsdetour
 | Soul's Detour is a project started by me years ago when I had a blog about historical and not so popular tourist destinations in Eastern Belgium, West Germany and Luxembourg. Nowadays, this blog no longer exists, but I'm still here - passionate about architecture, art and mysteries and eager to share my discoveries and point of view with you. |
They are beautiful old buildings that could be made beautiful again, but will it happen? Thank you for posting.
Probably not. As far as I know from locals, there is a big problem with the renovation, because the people who live there do not have enough money for that. On the other hand, they are classified as cultural monuments because of their historical value, and inhabitants are not allowed to renovate anyway. On the other hand, the municipality itself does not have enough money for that. And they all spin in a closed circle with no way out.
It turns out that the most favored person in the situation is me, because I can go to this place to take more pictures, look for information and educate myself about the history, the true history of this place and the country in general.
Много хубав пост! Както и снимки!
That is such a beautiful design. But due to no renovations it lacks it's full glory. I think people or the municipality should take steps to preserve this cultural heritage of the city.
Thanks for showing us this old forgotten beauty.
Have a great day @soulsdetour
Also, Are you from Belgium? I was seeking to pursue my masters there, Is the place welcoming and great to stay n study?
Sorry, not from there, but as far as I know, this country has great and respectful traditions in higher education in cities such as Brussels and Leuven, so it's a very good choice.
You are right, the municipality and the inhabitants really should do something for these buildings, but as I wrote above, this turns out to be impossible and falls into the column Paragraph 22.
Have a great day too!
I understand my friend, thanks for your concern.
I hope the buildings should be preserved. Keep on showing your experiences. :)
I also believe in the inevitable, that humans will come to pass or mother Earth will come to pass, either way, humans will come to pass, only time will tell.
I share the same opinion. But I didn't want to sound so pessimistic.🙃 In principle, I do not see any good future for humanity and our planet at all.
Regards
Well said, all we can do is hope for the best.
Such an interesting post. I don't think it would talk too long for most human artifices to be wiped away by time and nature. Your post certainly demonstrates that.
The communist era has been a rather wild one, to be sure. What might have started as a philosophical idea based on wholesome principles, ended up as an artificial replacement for tyranny, by most accounts. I suppose we will see what happens next...
Cheers!
Oh, living in a country where communism refuses to leave and is always present in the government under one name or another, now completely open again, I can say what will happen next.
Every regime or system has so far proved its tyrannical intentions and essence. I don't know if you've noticed how much communism and fascism have in common. And the similarities between them and what is happening right now?
Mankind is clearly spinning in a circle. And nothing more. And obviously there is a need for that.
Cheers!
You are very right indeed and it is a vicious circle and cycle some countries really have to step out from for good (mine included)!
Some old building age quite well and still look good but others need a bit of TLC and can look great again myself I still love the old school building they have so much more character. 👍
Time to vote for lovetheclouds again if you don't mind popping over there and putting your votes in. Thank you @soulsdetour have a great week 😊
Yeah, me too 😊 Let's say, I love buildings with a character, and most old constructions have that. And although the ones I'm showing here are probably built according to a pattern, or not, but everything produced under communism was made according to a pattern and 'on a conveyor belt', I somehow suspect that these buildings have their analogues in many other places in other countries, but considered here, on the spot, they are completely different from others around. And that's one of the things that draws me to them the most.
I will say old Europe does have a great collection of old building which I have always found a joy in looking at them the features are just so unique not like all our glass building in our city boring.
You are very right indeed in what you mentioned above. Communism is a curse, that's one thing, and the second or even equally important thing from your post is that someone from a rich country can learn so much about life and death from someone from a poor country.
These buildings were indeed very beautiful constructions when they were built and after that well into their 'heyday', so to put it. Nevertheless, after many decades, it is truly sad to see how they ruined... Very painful indeed. We have the same situation here in Romania, with even older, historical buildings from the 19th century for example which were fortunately not completely erased by former Communist authorities, as others were...
That being said, switching to a more optimistic ending, I truly wish you all the best, much health, peace, prosperity, and a great remainder of this week. Last but not least, keep up the very good work here on HIVE! :)
Hey, thank you for your wishes! I know what you mean by these 19th century buildings. It is the same in Bulgaria. Old buildings of aristocrats and industrialists, very rich people, were confiscated by the communists and left to fall apart.
The ones I show often here in this community are the opposite - they were built by the communists, but after their era they were left to fall apart.
And as far as I have heard, communism in Romania was even more cruel and destructive than in Bulgaria...
But we have to be optimistic, right! 🙃
Cheers
Thank you for your response and best wishes! Indeed, communism was more cruel and destructive in Romania, as you you pointed out, unfortunately. It's the same situation with 19th century buildings which formerly belonged to aristocrats or industrialists and now lay in ruin mostly (especially in Bucharest, but in other cities and towns they have been consolidated to some extent). Anyway, fast forward during the 21st century we have to stay optimistic! Cheers, take care, stay safe, much health, and all the best! :)