The National Swimming Complex “Red Banner” was completed in 1985, just in time for Bulgaria to host the European Aquatics Championships. At the time, Bulgaria was among the world leaders of the sport and, in fact, the country’s very own Tanya Bogomilova won the gold medal for the 200m breaststroke contest. The entire complex consists of five pools in total (two exterior and three interior) with the largest being 50x25m and the smallest (a children’s pool) 8x11m. It was complete with a grandstand that could seat 2000 visitors, numerous changing rooms, a recovery centre, a physiotherapy centre, a gymnasium, a press room, and a parking space for 250 cars and 10 buses. Right from the grand unveiling for the ’85 Championships, no seat was left empty, and people were rushing in to watch the contests. The complex continued to be used for swim meets, synchronized swimming competitions, and water polo tournaments.

The story for most buildings built the communist regime in Bulgaria are the same. It’s no different for the National Swimming Complex “Red Banner”. Since the regime change in 1991, less care and attention was given to the complex. Although the local ministry cared for it to some extent, its maintenance wasn’t a priority. In 2009 it received a renovation that would see its tiles replaced, repairs to plaster, renovation of the grandstands, and general aesthetic changes. But none of this done to an acceptable standard. In 2012, the building was no longer operational. And in 2015 it was officially closed down. As it currently stands, we are witnesses to what was once a glorious concrete shell that hosted world-class competitions and years of recreational amusement. Lastly in 2018, the Bulgarian Swimming Federation began to look closely at the structure and have been in talks of finding an investor for the complex. The process has yet to make clear any promising results.

Special thanks to Stefan Spassov