Nikola Pikolo – the humble guardian of science

Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2025, 61(3), 69-72.

D. Rangelova1, Sv. Slavkov1, M. Penkov2

1 UMHATEM “N. I. Pirogov”
2 UMHAT “Sv. I. Rilski”

Abstract. In the Bulgarian history, modernity is the work and mission of individual, educated, distinguished personalities. Such is Dr. Nikola Pikolo. He lived as a man of science, dedicated to his nonoccupational interests. He was a part of the intellectual milieu of the French capital. He had various intellectual pursuits as a translator, author of plays and poems, and researcher of Byzantine culture. He had multiple professions besides that of a physician – a teacher, a censor, an inspector. His biography is an example of an intellectual predilection for profound knowledge and a way for us to understand better how Bulgarian society awoke in some turbulent times of accumulating national self-confidence.

Key words: Nikola Pikolo, Bulgarian modernity, intellectual elite

Address for correspondence: Diana Rangelova, e-mail: