Voivode Stefan Karadzha

Stefan Todorov Dimov, known as Stefan Karadzha, was a Bulgarian national hero, revolutionary and voivode in the Bulgarian national liberation movement.

Born on 11 May 1840 in the village of Ichme, now Stefan Karadzhovo, in the Elhovo region, he came from a family with historical roots in Strandzha. In 1844 his family moved to the nearby village of Dyukmen, now Leyarovo, in the Elhovo region, and later to northern Dobruja. Stefan Karadzha travelled to various places and worked as a cattle and calf herder before learning shoemaking. Although he began school in Tulcea, lack of funds forced him to leave.

In 1862, after briefly taking part in revolutionary activities in Bulgaria, Stefan Karadzha went to Romania and began his revolutionary career. He participated in the First Bulgarian Legion in Belgrade and distinguished himself in fighting against the Turks. After the legion was disbanded, he returned to Romania, where he joined the popular struggle and crossed the Danube several times on revolutionary missions.

In 1868 he joined the detachment of Hadzhi Dimitar and Zhelyu the Voivode and participated in the battles near Vishovgrad, but was severely wounded and captured. Stefan Karadzha was sentenced to death by hanging and died of his wounds on 30 July 1868 in Ruse prison.

The hero was buried in Ruse, and his grave is in the National Revival Park. His remains were transferred to the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes in 1978.