Timeline of Varna

Prior to 20th century

• 6th century BCE - Odessus founded by Greeks.
• 1st century CE - Romans in power.
• 1201 - Siege of Varna 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.
• 1871 - Slavic Orthodox Christian established.
• 1878 - Varna becomes part of Russian Bulgaria per Treaty of Berlin
• 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.
• 1925 - Varna railway station opens.
• 1931 - :bg:Свобода |Freedom begins publication.
• 1932 - Varna Aquarium opens.
• 1934
• * begins broadcasting.
• * City becomes capital of Varna oblast.
• 1935 - 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 remodelled.
• 1962 - 15th Chess Olympiad held in Varna.
• 1964
• * Varna International Ballet Competition begins.
• * Population: 172,700.
• 1968 - Ticha Stadium and Palace of Culture and Sports open.
• 1972 - Varna Necropolis discovered.
• 1976 - Asparuhov Bridge opens.
• 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 - 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.
• * becomes mayor.
• 2014 - June: 2014 Bulgarian floods.