The original Radetzky was built in 1851 by the Obuda Shipyard in Budapest and operated as a commercial Danube passenger steamer.
Hristo Botev forced the ship's captain to change course at gunpoint, effectively using the ship as a vessel for revolutionary insurgency.
The replica was funded by donations from over 1.2 million Bulgarian children who collected scrap metal and paper to support the project.
The reconstructed vessel was officially commissioned in 1966 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the historical event.
The ship’s engine room and bridge retain the original layout and design of a mid-19th-century paddle steamer.
The Radetzky is a museum-ship permanently docked on the banks of the Danube in Kozloduy, Bulgaria, representing the restored 1851 Austrian-Hungarian steamship used by Hristo Botev. In May 1876, Botev and his revolutionary detachment hijacked the vessel to cross the Danube from Romania to Bulgaria during the April Uprising. The current ship is a meticulously reconstructed replica based on the original blueprints, housing a national museum dedicated to Botev's life and the Bulgarian national liberation movement. The interior maintains a historical aesthetic, featuring personal belongings and navigational equipment from the 19th century. As a national landmark, the site serves as a memorial to the revolutionaries who fought for Bulgarian independence. The ship remains anchored in a dedicated memorial park area, functioning as both a vessel exhibit and an indoor gallery space.
From the river bank at a slight angle to capture both the ship's paddle wheel and the Bulgarian flag.
Plan your visit to coincide with clear weather, as the surrounding memorial park offers significant outdoor space.
Check for local commemorative events around May 17th, which marks the anniversary of the Botev detachment's landing.
Combine your visit with a walk along the Danube riverfront for views of the border between Bulgaria and Romania.
Attempting to board without checking if there are local maintenance closures, as the ship requires periodic hull restoration.
The museum is generally closed on Mondays; it is advised to check local holiday schedules as operating status can shift during state commemorations.
Maintain a respectful tone as the vessel is considered a national memorial and burial site for revolutionary ideals.
