Revolutionary Nikola Strandzhata

Nikola Todorov Strandzhata was a well-known Bulgarian revolutionary who served as standard-bearer in Filip Totyu's detachment. He was the model for Strandzhata in Ivan Vazov's novella Немили-недраги (Unloved and Unwanted) and play Хъшове (The Exiles).

In 1867, with the support of the Benevolent Society, two detachments entered Bulgaria to assess the population's mood and readiness for an uprising: Panayot Hitov's from April to August and Filip Totyu's from May to August. Nikola Strandzhata was the standard-bearer of the latter.

After returning from Bulgaria to Romania, Strandzhata opened a tavern and café in Brăila. Many Bulgarian revolutionary exiles found shelter and food there. The renowned Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov spent time in Strandzhata's tavern and described him as the most respected of the exiles. The other standard-bearer of Botev's detachment, Dimitar Stefanov the Cossack, also visited the tavern.

Various actors have played Strandzhata in Хъшове over the years, including Konstantin Kisimov, Georgi Georgiev–Gets and others.