Timeline of Varna

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Varna, Bulgaria.

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 (football club) 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 (sport arena) opens.
 * 1993 – Population: 307,200 city; 313,034 urban agglomeration (estimate).
 * 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 (shopping centre) 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.