24 Facts About Stefan Stambolov

Stefan Nikolov Stambolov was a Bulgarian politician, journalist, revolutionary, and poet who served as Prime Minister and regent.

Stefan Stambolov is considered one of the most important and popular "Founders of Modern Bulgaria", and is sometimes referred to as "the Bulgarian Bismarck".

Stefan Stambolov was killed in the center of Sofia by a plot from the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization, including Naum Tyufekchiev, for his support to the Ottoman Empire, his dictatorial methods and his repression of the IMRO.

Stefan Stambolov's father took part in the "Velchova Zavera" plot against Turkish rule in 1835.

Stefan Stambolov grew up around prominent revolutionists like Hristo Ivanov, the priest Matey Preobrazhenski, and Hristo Karaminkov.

Stefan Stambolov began his education in his home town, but later studied at the Seminary in Odessa.

Stefan Stambolov was the leader of the unsuccessful uprising in Stara Zagora in 1875 and of the Turnovo revolutionary committee in the great uprising of April 1876.

Stefan Stambolov was involved in political discussions as early as the time of the first Bulgarian parliament: the "Founding Assembly" of 1879.

At the age of 32, Stefan Stambolov found himself in the highly unusual position of being simultaneously a government minister, president, and regent for an absent monarch.

However, it is known that Stefan Stambolov initially supported Carol I of Romania and that he intended to establish a union with the country.

Stefan Stambolov requested to the Ottoman Empire a dual Bulgarian-Turkish state.

Stefan Stambolov was a nationalist; as a politician, he strengthened the country's diplomacy, its economy, and the general political power of the state.

Stefan Stambolov confronted Knyaz Ferdinand, and blocked his schemes to usurp additional authority.

Stefan Stambolov survived an assassination attempt unharmed, but responded by having many people he suspected of taking part imprisoned and treated brutally.

Stefan Stambolov was knocked to the ground and viciously beaten, resulting in his entire face being slashed, both of his arms almost completely severed, and his right eye gouged out.

Stefan Stambolov believed that the liberation of Bulgaria was an attempt by Czarist Russia to turn Bulgaria into its protectorate.

Stefan Stambolov's policy was characterized by the goal of preserving Bulgarian independence at all costs.

Stefan Stambolov launched a new course in Bulgarian foreign policy, independent of the interests of any great power.

Stefan Stambolov established close connections with the Sultan in order to enliven Bulgarian national spirit in Macedonia and to oppose the Greek and Serbian propaganda.

Stefan Stambolov negotiated loans with western European countries to develop the economic and military strength of Bulgaria.

Stefan Stambolov understood the interests of the Austrian Empire in Macedonia and warned his diplomats accordingly.

Stefan Stambolov was aware that Bulgaria had to be politically, militarily, and economically strong to achieve national unification.

Stefan Stambolov mapped out the political course which turned Bulgaria into a strong regional power, respected by the great powers of the day.

Stefan Stambolov is portrayed on the obverse of the Bulgarian 20 levs banknote, issued in 1999,2007 and 2020.