Monument to Todor Kirkov

The Monument to Todor Kirkov – the Story of a Hero in the Heart of Lovech

If you are in Lovech and have already reached the Covered Bridge, you cannot miss the impressive monument to Todor Kirkov. Erected on the square of the same name in the architectural and historical reserve “Varosha”, this monument is not just part of the cityscape – it tells the story of a brave hunter who gave his life for the freedom of Bulgaria.

Who is Todor Kirkov?

Born in 1847 in Lovech, Todor Kirkov early fell under the influence of the liberation struggles. He worked as a tailor and a cafe owner, but his fate was destined to be a revolutionary. He actively participated in the April Uprising in 1876 as an assistant apostle to Stefan Stambolov in the Tarnovo Revolutionary District. After heavy battles with the Ottoman troops, he was captured after betrayal and sentenced to death. On June 24, 1876, he was hanged on the then Tabashki Square - exactly where his monument stands today.

Designed by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Dzoki and realized with the participation of the architect Boris Schatz, the monument impresses with its symbolism. Its silhouette resembles a natural stone block - moraine, and on its front side is a metal bas-relief of Todor Kirkov. Below it you will notice an inscription in metal letters and a lion's head from which water gushes - a symbol of the strength and steadfastness of the Bulgarian spirit. On the reverse side are the names of Lovcen residents who died in the national liberation struggles and in the Battle of Lovech during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). The mortal remains of Todor Kirkov also rest at the base of the monument.

The story behind the monument

Its construction was initiated by the Lovech Committee, and the material for the construction came from the stone quarry of the village of Radyuvene. The official opening took place on June 24, 1902, exactly 25 years after the hero's death. The ceremony was solemnly consecrated by the Lovech priests and chaired by Professor Paraskev Stoyanov.