Todor Kableshkov Monument

Todor Kableshkov was a 19th-century Bulgarian rebel who was one of the leaders of the April Uprising.

Born from an affluent family in Koprivshtitsa, he studied in his birthplace and subsequently at Plovdiv between 1864 and 1867 before founding the Zora enlightenment group in 1867. He completed his study in Galatasaray High School in Istanbul, but due to sickness, he was obliged to return to Koprivshtitsa. In 1873, he worked as a telegraph operator in Edirne before becoming a station master at Pazardzhik, where he was involved in artistic and educational activities.

In the beginning of 1876, Kableshkov returned to Koprvishtitsa and devoted himself to revolutionary action. He was appointed as the leader of the Koprishtitsa local revolutionary committee and the deputy-apostle of the Panagyurishte revolutionary district. On April 20, 1876, he was the first to declare the April Uprising, and he is the author of the famous Bloody Letter to the Panagyurishte revolutionary district. Kableshkov was the leader of the military council in Koprivshtitsa, and he led a cheta (band, detachment) with Panayot Volov through the surrounding settlements.

After the revolt was put down by Ottoman forces, Kableshkov and a small party retreated to the interior of Stara Planina. He was apprehended at Troyan and tortured in the prisons of Lovech and Veliko Tarnovo. Todor Kableshkov, 25, finally committed himself in the Gabrovo police station.

Todor Kableshkov is known as one of Bulgaria’s most daring revolutionaries, particularly given his young age when he joined the revolutionary movement. His residence in Koprivshtitsa has been transformed into a museum, and a memorial has been erected on the spot where he chose to launch the uprising.