The Austrian steamship “Radetzky” was built in 1851 in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. On May 29, 1876 Hristo Botev and his men captured the steamer and forced it to stop on the Bulgarian coast at the village of Kozloduy, from where they headed to the Vrachanski Balkan to fight for the freedom of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.

In 1966, an exact replica of the legendary steamer was built with funds, raised by 1,200,000 Bulgarian children. It has had the status of a national museum since 1982. It is located on an eternal pier in the town of Kozloduy and since April 16, 2004 it has been a branch of the Bulgarian History Museum in Sofia.

The Radetzky Steamship National Museum is entirely connected with the life and work of Hristo Botev, with his tragic death, as well as with his detachment (his cheta). Over the years, it has become a national shrine. It has an exhibition in which you can see valuable items such as the flag of Botev’s detachment, uniforms of Botev’s chetniks, the last letters written by the voivode Hristo Botev from the board of the steamer, etc.

The Radetzky Steamship National Museum is the only traveling steamship museum on the Balkan Peninsula and in Bulgaria. The sailings are carried out after a prior request, after the formation of an at least 50 people group and within the working hours of the Radetzky Steamship National Museum (10:00 – 18:00). The last boarding for the day is at 17:00.

Visiting information

Sailing schedule
season 2025:

June
07.06 – 08.06 (Saturday & Sunday)
28.06 – 29.06 (Sat & Sun)

July
05.07 – 06.07 (Sat & Sun)
26.07 – 27.07 (Sat & Sun)

August
02.08 – 03.08 (Sat & Sun)
16.08 – 17.08 (Sat & Sun)
30.08 – 31.08 (Sat & Sun)

September
06.09 – 07.09 (Sat & Sun)

On 13.09.2025, between 10:00 and 15:00, the Radetzky Steamship National Museum will be closed for visitors.

20.09 – 21.09 (Sat & Sun)

Important information for visitors to the museum:

From 01.06. to 30.10. (under suitable weather conditions) “Radetski” will carry out one-hour attraction cruises on the Danube River, in the waters of the city of Kozloduy.

The sailings are carried out after a prior request, after the formation of an at least 50 people group and within the working hours of the Radetzky Steamship National Museum (10:00 – 18:00). The last boarding for the day is at 17:00.

On 21.06.2025, between 14:00 and 16:30, the Radetzky Steamship National Museum will be closed for visitors.

On 26.06.2025, between 12:00 and 14:00, the Radetzky Steamship National Museum will be closed for visitors.

On 27.06.2025, between 12:00 and 14:00, the Radetzky Steamship National Museum will be closed for visitors.


Working hours:

The Radetzky Steamship National Museum is closed on:

  • 1st of January
  • Easter (Sunday)
  • 24th & 25th of December

Monday – Sunday

Summer working hours (01.04 – 31.10):
10:00 – 18:00 (pay desk open until 17:30)

Winter working hours ( 01.11 – 31.03):
9:00 – 17:30 (pay desk open until 17:00)

Important information for visitors to the museum:

From 01.06. to 30.10. (under suitable weather conditions) “Radetski” will carry out one-hour attraction cruises on the Danube River, in the waters of the city of Kozloduy.

The sailings are carried out after a prior request, after the formation of an at least 50 people group and within the working hours of the Radetzky Steamship National Museum (10:00 – 18:00). The last boarding for the day is at 17:00.


Prices:

Individual visits:

• regular price – 7.00 lv./ 3,58 €
• school & university students, pensioners – 3.00 lv./ 1,53 €

Sailing prices:

• regular price – 10.00 lv./ 5,11 €
• prepubescent children – 5.00 lv./ 2,56 €

Group visits:

• discussion – 5.00 lv./ 2,56 €


Admission is free:

• for people with specific needs and their companions
• every last Monday of the month after 15:00
• 18th of May – International Museum Day

Preferential prices:

• 1st of November – Day of the National Awakeners
(for children, school and university students, for everyone else – 1 lv./ 0,51 €


Prices for photography:

by negotiation

Prices for the use of museum areas for events:

business meetings, conferences, celebrations, cocktails, etc. – by negotiation.
To request an event, fill out the attached form.

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