Colonel Petar Dimkov

Petar Dimkov entered the world on December 19, 1886, in the vibrant city of Sofia. In 1899, he made his way to St. Petersburg, where he completed his studies at the Military Academy. Lili Dimkova, his daughter, shared that it was there he first encountered the writings of Leo Tolstoy, which ultimately shaped his perspective on life. While pursuing his studies, he also took in lectures on medicine at the Medical University. He had a keen interest in homeopathy and Tibetan medicine. There, he stumbled upon the pioneering works on iris diagnostics by Dr. Ignaz von Peccelli. These texts piqued his interest and ultimately shaped his approach to diagnosis. He also got to know Michael Platten’s book on natural living and healing, which turned into his go-to reference on his desk.

In 1909, he took on the role of second lieutenant in the 25th Infantry Dragoman Regiment, stationed in Tsaribrod. He took part in the Balkan wars and World War I, sustaining numerous wounds along the way. Following the wars, he made his home in Sofia, taking on the role of a military serviceman. He started his journey as a folk healer.
In 1934, he took on the role of assistant commander for the 4th Infantry Preslav Division. Subsequently, he took on a role in Varna, where he was deeply involved in the Military Union’s initiatives, notably playing a part in the orchestration of the May 19th Coup in 1934.

In Varna, he oversaw the building of the Asparuhov Val, the creation of the Arch of the 8th Infantry Primorski Regiment, and the development of the Vladislav Varnenchik Mausoleum Park. In 1935, he took on the role of assistant commander for the 3rd Infantry Balkan Division.

In 1936, he found himself drafted into the army ahead of time, all because of his steadfast republican beliefs. For Dimkov, his wife Maria, and their three children – Lyubomir, Lili, and Vladimir – a long stretch of hardship lay ahead. This allowed him to immerse himself in the world of herbalism and folk medicine. Dimkov held the conviction that both the body and the soul deserve attention, asserting that no disease is beyond the reach of healing. He provided care to all his patients without charge. Petar Dimkov’s “Bulgarian Folk Medicine” comes in a three-volume set, published in 1977, 1991, 1993, and 2008. This collection is packed with recipes and guidance on naturopathy and living in harmony with nature, covering everything from hygiene and nutrition to cosmetics, herbal remedies, and spiritual practices.

He passed away on October 4, 1981, in Sofia.

In Varna, you’ll find a monument dedicated to Colonel Dimkov, and over on Brabant Island in Antarctica, there’s a glacier bearing the name of Petar Dimkov.

• Colonel Dimkov – Varnenchicmuseum 
• Asparuhov Val, the creation of the Arch of the 8th Infantry Primorski Regiment
• Vladislav Varnenchik Museum 

• Wikipedia Source – Petar Dimkov