Just to update everybody, I was there taking photographs yesterday on a road trip around the continent. You can still get in, the front entrance is well and truly gated up but there have been several areas of concrete cracked open. There are 4 deep holes (20 feet) with medium sized entrances into the lower rooms around the sides (two each side of the building), there are safe anchor points for abseiling bolted to the ground. But while I did have climbing gear on me, being not only alone at the site but alone in the country I thought it best not to start jumping into deep holes. Theres another more shallow hole (10-15 feet) with a large entrance, this you could access easily with a ladder. These holes are good for carrying equipment.

The easiest way, the way myself and my camera used to get in and out in 20 minutes… (I had to drive to Istanbul that evening and I wasn’t overly keen on leaving my car, laptop and other camera gear unattended for too long.) Was a crawl hole that enters on the right hand stair case. Just follow the wall round from the front entrance to the right and you’ll see it around the first corner. The hole is just big enough for me, 6’3″ 85kg and a small rucksack to crawl through.

The place has deteriorated a lot since you were there, Tim. Most of the mosaics have gone around the balcony and the roof seems almost see through now. But the view is spectacular as ever. There are a few other monuments to check out in the area too and a beautiful russian church. I’m planning a trip back there with some friends to spend a few days waiting for some descent weather, it looks like people will keep braking into the building if anyone seals it up. All the holes seem to have been made in fairly fresh concrete.

So, if anyone wants to go, it’s all good at the moment!

Last word, a lot of people were visiting while I was there (around 15 cars in the hour I was there), all seems like families but I waited for a gap to make my entrance. I’m not sure what the locals opinion is of people going inside.

Best, Mike

Anyone has any other questions, drop me an email, I’ll do my best to help out mike@linewalker.co.uk

Are you talking about Capitalism?

I’ve been very inspired by your pics and decided to go there and film.

Here is a short that we shot in that monument tree week ago.
http://youtu.be/5ekLr0vChlM

The place is really amazing and worth the look.

Thanks.

Regards,
Stephane.

The main entrance has been sealed – not with concrete, but with metal bars.

However, there are still several ways to get inside the building, if you try hard enough! There’s more info on some possible entrances here: http://www.thebohemianblog.com/2012/04/urban-exploration-communist-party.html

James Perry