Timeline of Varna

Prior to 20th century

• 6th century BCE – Odessus founded by Greeks.
• 1st century CE – Romans in power.
• 1201 – Siege of Varna (1201) by forces of Kaloyan of Bulgaria.
• 1389 – Ottoman Turks in power.
• 1444 – 10 November: Battle of Varna.
• 1606 – Varna sacked by Cossacks.
• 1828 – Siege of Varna.
• 1854 – During Crimean War, allied forces based temporarily at Varna.
• 1867 – Rustchuk–Varna railway begins operating.
• 1870 – Seat of a Bulgarian Bishop.
• 1871 – Slavic Orthodox Christian established.
• 1878 – Varna becomes part of newly restored independent Bulgaria per Treaty of Berlin (1878)
• 1883 – Orient Express railway begins operating.
• 1885 – Euxinograd palace built near Varna.
• 1886 – Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Varna built.
• 1888
• * Varna Archaeological Museum founded.
• * Population: 25,256.
• 1892 – Bulgarian Steamship Company in business.
• 1900 – Machine School for the Navy relocated to Varna.

20th century

• 1906
• * Port of Varna built.
• * Population: 37,155.
• 1912 – becomes mayor.
• 1913 – Reka Ticha sport club formed.
• 1915 – 27 October: Varna bombed by Russian forces.
• 1916 – 16 January: Varna bombed by Russian forces.
• 1918 – SC Sokol formed.
• 1921 – Stoyan Bachvarov Dramatic Theatre founded.
• 1923 – BC Cherno More basketball team founded.
• 1925 – Varna railway station opens.
• 1931 – Freedom begins publication.
• 1932 – Varna Aquarium opens.
• 1934
• * begins broadcasting.
• * City becomes capital of Varna oblast.
• 1935
• * Symbolic mausoleum of King Władysław III of Poland erected.
• * becomes mayor.
• 1946 – Population: 77,792.
• 1949
• * Varna renamed "Stalin."
• * City becomes capital of the Stalin District.
• 1950 – Yuri Gagarin Stadium opens.
• 1957 – In vicinity of Varna, Golden Sands resort development begins.
• 1961
• * Institute of Medicine established.
• * Sea Garden (Varna) remodelled.
• 1962 – 15th Chess Olympiad held in Varna.
• 1964
• * Varna International Ballet Competition begins.
• * Population: 172,700.
• * John Hunyadi monument unveiled.
• 1968 – Ticha Stadium and Palace of Culture and Sports open.
• 1970 – Varna co-hosts the 1970 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.
• 1972 – Varna Necropolis discovered.
• 1974 – Varna hosts the 1974 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
• 1976 – Asparuhov Bridge opens.
• 1979 – Varna hosts the 1979 European Weightlifting Championships.
• 1981 – Varna co-hosts the 1981 Men's European Volleyball Championship.
• 1985
• * Museum of Medicine History opened.
• * BC Cherno More wins its first Bulgarian basketball championship.
• 1986 – Trolleybuses begin operating.
• 1991 – Hristo Borisov Hall opens.
• 1993 – Population: 307,200 city; 313,034 urban agglomeration.
• 1994 – McDonald's in business.
• 1998 – Black Sea NGO Network headquartered in Varna.

21st century

• 2001
• * Varna co-hosts the 2001 Women's European Volleyball Championship.
• * Population: 314,539.
• 2008
• * Mall Varna in business.
• * New Varna Stadium construction begins.
• 2011 – Population: 343,704 municipality.
• 2013
• * 2013 Bulgarian protests against the first Borisov cabinet.
• * 2013–14 Bulgarian protests against the Oresharski cabinet.
• * Air pollution in Varna reaches annual mean of 36 PM2.5 and 51 PM10, more than recommended.
• * Ivan Portnih becomes mayor.
• 2014 – June: 2014 Bulgarian floods.
• 2018 – Varna co-hosts the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
• 2021 – Varna hosts the 2021 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships.