Nikolai Kobelkoff (more correctly — Nikolai Kobelkoff or in Russian Николай Васильевич Кобельков, 1851–1933) was a Russian-born circus and entertainment performer (schausteller) who became famous in Europe and worldwide for his acts, despite a severe congenital disability.

He was born on July 22, 1851, in the territory of the Russian Empire (now Chelyabinsk Oblast, near Troitsk or Voznesensk). Nikolai was the 14th or 17th child in the family (sources vary slightly), and he was born with a genetic condition — without arms and legs — likely due to tetra-amelia syndrome.

Despite this, he learned to:

walk and move around,

write,

draw,

shoot a pistol,

thread a needle,

eat with a fork,

pour drinks, and even drive horses.

From 1870, he began performing in Russia (in St. Petersburg), then went on tours across Europe and even to the USA. The performances were a sensation — he demonstrated everyday skills, acrobatics, and even dangerous stunts (for example, entering a cage with a lion).

In 1900, a short film "Kobelkoff" was made about him, which is one of the earliest examples documenting this type of performance.

He married Anna Wilfert from a German/Austrian entertainment family, and they had 11 children (6 survived to adulthood), all healthy. The family performed together.

Around 1906–1901, he bought land in Vienna's famous Prater amusement park, built attractions (velodrome, slide, carousels, etc.), and became a successful entrepreneur. His family continued the business after his death.

Nikolai Kobelkoff died on January 19, 1933, in Vienna at the age of 81 as a wealthy and respected man. He is buried in Vienna's Central Cemetery, and his story is an inspiring example of willpower and adaptation (similar to modern-day Nick Vujicic).

He was a "star" of his era in the freak show/sideshow genre, but with a positive image — not as a victim, but as a talented and independent person. Many sources compare him to a "human trunk" (Human Trunk), but his life was full of achievements.

Nikolai Kobelkoff (more precisely — Nikolai Vassiljevitch Kobelkoff) and his wife Anna Wilfert married in 1876, and they had 11 children (some sources mention 15, but 6–11 survived; most commonly 11 born, of whom 6 reached adulthood). All children were physically healthy, without the father's congenital disability (tetra-amelia).

Known children (from family photos and sources):

Alexander (eldest son, born around 1876–1877 in Prater)

Otto

Nikolai (junior)

Paul

Ernst

Helene (daughter, the only known daughter)

The children lived with their grandparents in Vienna during childhood, later joined their parents on tours and helped in the family business (shows and attractions).

After Nikolai's death in 1933, the family continued managing attractions in Vienna's Prater park (velodrome, slide, carousels, etc.), which he had purchased around 1901–1913. The business remained in family ownership until the 1970s, when part of the territory was bought for reconstruction, but the family received compensation.

Modern descendants:

The family is still connected to Prater and the entertainment industry in Vienna.

Recently, roads in Prater were named in honor of the families: Nikolai-Kobelkoff-Weg and Schaafweg (Anna was related to the Schaaf family through relatives).

The initiator was Silvia Lang – Nikolai Kobelkoff's great-great-granddaughter, daughter of Liselotte Lang (Liselotte was a great-granddaughter, 94 years old in 2022).

In some sources, it is mentioned that one of the grandchildren or descendants, Nikolai Pasara (from the line of son Otto), managed the attractions in later years.

The family lives mainly in Vienna, and the descendants maintain ties to Prater's history (there is even a website praterdynastien.at maintained by the family). Exact names and current residences are not widely publicly disclosed, but they are alive and active in continuing Prater traditions.