‘Wired Varna’

The importance of Varna in the Crimean War chiefly arises from its strategic geographic position and its role as a supply hub for the allied troops, particularly the British and French army, in their operations against Russia. Varna, located on the Black Sea coast, held significant strategic importance in terms of supplying and providing medical care to the Allied soldiers. It functioned as a strategic location where troops and supplies were gathered and prepared before being sent to the Crimea.

The advancement during the War and the use of wired communications technology, particularly the electric telegraph, is an intriguing subject that showcases the convergence of military history with technical advancement. The Crimean War (1853-1856) was an early example of a conflict that witnessed substantial utilisation of the electric telegraph, leading to a revolutionary transformation in military communications.

Recognizing the strategic benefit that telegraphy presented, the British and French forces expanded telegraph lines throughout the various territories under their control. By enabling communication back to their respective capitals, London and Paris to Varna and subsequently on to Sevastopol by means of a Submarine Cable.

The location of the telegraph station in Varna was at the Head Quarters of Marshal Saint Arnaud at 23 Primorski Blvd., regrettably, this significant historical building and HQ has not been conserved. This residence belonged to Adolf Tedeschi, who served as the Austrian consul in Varna from 1841 to 1882 and as the French consul from 1848 to 1878. Emanuil Tedeschi, the user’s subject’s brother, served as the consul of Belgium following the year 1848.  Additionally, the two siblings achieved prosperity in their endeavours as traders. The construction of the home took place in 1840, namely on the most elevated section of Primorski Blvd as it exists in present times. During which time the building functioned as both a residence and as the official premises for the Austrian and French consulates.

In the early 1930s, Zheko Ivanov Zhekov, a lawyer who had previously served as the mayor of Varna and district governor, acquired ownership of Tedeschi’s mansion. Consequently, the home was disregarded and deserted. The building was dismantled in 1975 during the communist era.

• The Field Electric Telegraph
• Crimean War – Electric Telegraph Route
• “1855 Varna-Balaclava Cable” by Walter Peterson – recommended read

• Orlando Figgs  “The Crimean War” 
• Michev, Ivan “Once upon a time in Varna”, 2016
• “The Crimean War” Hugh Small