The bronze bust of Colonel Milko Zhelezov (1872-1955) is located in front of the Naval Museum. It was created on the initiative of the Union of Reserve Officers and Sergeants and the Union of War Veterans of Bulgaria, marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Between 1904 and 1906, Milko Zhelezov studied at the Higher Artillery School in St. Petersburg, specializing in fortress and coastal artillery. During his training, he devised the first computational device in the history of artillery, for which he was awarded the St. Anne Medal by the Russian Emperor.
In Bulgaria, Colonel Milko Zhelezov was the first organizer of the coastal artillery defense of the Bulgarian seaboard. At the start of the First World War, he commanded the Coastal Artillery Battery Group of the Navy and the fortified point in Varna (1912-1918). He also took part in the liberation of Dobrudja, distinguishing himself through heroism in the Battle of Tutrakan. During the battle, Prince Boris observed Colonel Zhelezov at his command post and admired his skills, promoting him to lieutenant colonel and recommending him for the Order of Courage. By the end of the war, Zhelezov had been promoted to colonel and awarded the Order of Courage for the third time.
The monument to Colonel Zhelezov was erected in 2016 with the financial support of the Municipality of Varna.
