Bulgarian Antarctic Base - Livingston Island

Equipment and Facilities

Infrastructure

  • Buildings

  • Technical infrastructure (electrical systems, plumbing, solar panels, satellite systems, communications)

  • Transport and cargo equipment

  • Monitoring network

  • Access to BAB (registration, conditions)

  • New projects (laboratory, wastewater treatment plant)

IMG_0018

The Bulgarian Antarctic Base “St. Kliment Ohridski” consists of three residential buildings with a total capacity of 35 people. Among its three auxiliary structures is the first Bulgarian building in Antarctica — “The Limping Dog”, constructed in 1988 (measuring 6 × 3.5 m). Today it serves as a Museum on Livingston Island, and since October 2012 it has been a branch of the National Historical Museum in Sofia. It includes a radio communication center and a postal service branch, and can also provide accommodation for up to five people when necessary. It is the oldest building on the island.

At the XXXVIII Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, held in Sofia on 1–5 June 2015, “The Limping Dog” was added to the Cultural and Historical Heritage of Antarctica. It also functions as a branch of Bulgarian Posts.

Besides the three residential buildings and auxiliary structures used for storing winter sleds, fuel barrels, and the Manitou telescopic loader, the base also includes an Orthodox chapel.

Chapel “St. Ivan Rilski”

The original chapel “St. Ivan Rilski” was built and consecrated in 2003.
It measures 3.5 × 3 m, made of plywood panels clad with sheet metal.
It is located 220 meters southeast of “The Limping Dog” and was the first Orthodox building in Antarctica and the southernmost in the world until 2011.
During the winter, snowmobiles are stored inside. Despite its modest size, the chapel has become widely known as on New Laboratory Block (2019–2026) e of the most unique prayer sites in the world.
During the 2011/12 season, a new chapel building was constructed — an arched structure measuring 4 × 5.5 m, with a metal exterior and plywood interior paneling.

New Laboratory Block (2019–2026)
Construction of a new laboratory block began in 2019 and will be completed by 2026. It will consist of three laboratories — biological, geological, and general — and will include: • Sleeping capacity for 8 people • A presentation hall • A drying room Several monitoring systems installed at “St. Kliment Ohridski” operate year-round, collecting data on ocean water salinity and seismic measurements. As Bulgaria’s official operator in Antarctica, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute provides all scientific projects at the base with modern equipment and full logistical support.

It will consist of three laboratories — biological, geological, and general — and will include:

  • Sleeping capacity for 8 people
  • A presentation hall
  • A drying room

Several monitoring systems installed at “St. Kliment Ohridski” operate year-round, collecting data on ocean water salinity and seismic measurements.
As Bulgaria’s official operator in Antarctica, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute provides all scientific projects at the base with modern equipment and full logistical support.

Equipment:

  • Моторни шейни - използват се за работа на терен и обезпечаване на научна и логистична работа на базата.

  • Manitou telescopic loader – used for construction and logistics tasks, launching and retrieving boats from the water.

  • Zodiac boats – used for maintaining the base, cargo operations, and supporting scientific projects at sea.

  • Small Zodiac – 4.4 m

  • Large Zodiac – 5.85 m

  • Trackster