| Reviews and photos of Vidin attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Vidin sightseeing. Vidin Map |
 | Vidin Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 18 |  |
Whist Vidin is well-endowed with both ancient and recent mouments to its long and interesting history the Fortress of Baba Vida is without doubt the most impressive. This is Bulgaria's best preserved Medieval Castle and has been sympathetically restored to pretty much its former glory. The moated castle sits imposingly on the bend of the river, its towers and ramparts commanding the river, the town and the surrounding valley and its history goes back to Roman times.
Legend has it that the Bulgarian origins of the castle began when a powerful local Boyar died leaving three daughters, Vida, Gumza and Kula who then divided his lands between them. Gamza and Kula married men who subsequently squandered their birthrights but the wise Vida never married but instead became the mother of her people and had the castle built, using the original Roman foundations, for their protection. Hence the castle is named 'Baba Vida" meaning "Old Mother Vida".
Whether the legend is true or not the name has obviously stuck and the fortress has played an important role throughout the area's past including withstanding an 8-month seige by the Byzantine Army around 1000 AD. The present day castle has evolved over the centuries including major modifications during the brief period of Austrian rule and by the Ottomans more laterly. It now houses a dedicated museum containing some interesting local relics. Leave a Comment Address: Baba Vida, VidinDirections: Heading out of town along the river bank to the north. Website has comprehensive info on the castle and links to other local sights.Website: http://babavida.vidin.net
|
 | |  |
Visiting Vidin?
Read reviews about Vidin Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
A good proportion of Vidin's town centre is occupied by greenery, with its tree-lined streets and numerous parks adding to the overall sense of spaciousness. Undoubtedly the finest of these parks is the City Park, a swathe of egalitarian communal space following the river from Gradinska out to the Baba Vida Fortress which is liberally sprinkled with herbaceous borders, floral displays, trees, monuments and statuary and when the weather allows is enjoyed by young and old alike.
When the sun shines the whole town seems to be here, the old boys (and girls) sit around passing the time of day, whether reminescing or plotting is anyone's guess. Lovers find secluded corners, young parents stroll whilst their children play and the outdoor cafes look after those who just want to sit with a coffee or a beer and watch the world go by. The park is big enough never to seem crowded yet intimate enough to have a very tangible local ambience and really is a showpiece for the town as a whole. Leave a Comment Address: City Park, VidinDirections: Along the riverside heading towards Baba Vida.
|
| | |
Generally wandering around Vidin one comes across a plethora of different historical, artistic and architectural delights very few of which actually seem to be labelled or signed in any way and discoving what's what or who's who can take quite a bit of research as there doesn't seem to be any definitive guidebook - well not that I discovered anyway.
For instance the main picture here of the three rather attractive women on the piazza just off Tsar Simeon Veliki I had originally assumed was maybe the Bulgarian equivalent of "The Three Graces" but in fact turns out to be Vida (of Baba Vida Fortress fame) and her two sisters Gumza and Kula which I only found out when researching some background on the fortress itself and came across a similar photo.
Perhaps such a guidebook does exist but is a locally-kept secret but if not I'm sure it would make for an absolutely fascinating project given the richness of the town's heritage.
The website below covers some of the main monuments and gives an idea of their diversity. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Here it is!! by johngayton
Cheap, cheerful, nice guy behind the bar and a pleasantly laid-back atmosphere - HA! I even had coffee there one morning! Leave a Comment Address: Baba Vida (?)Directions: Right at the start of the gardens, opposite the cute little art gallery ;) No other contact details and I doubt that it even has a phone!
|
 Baba Vida Fortress (permanent
collection) by johngayton, 3 more photos
Well I still don't know what the opening times are, nor am I certain that it is in fact free but it does make an interesting little insight into local culture and is well worth a visit.
As far as I can gather the gallery consists of two rooms: the one on the right holding the permanent display of works by local artists (or at least with a local theme) both classical and contemporary, whilst the room on the left seems to be dedicated to special exhibitions.
Here's a couple of paintings which caught my eye and for clues to the exact whereabouts of the gallery check photos #3 & #4. Leave a Comment Address: Baba Vida (?)Directions: Immediately opposite the "Leten Kut" where they sell nice cold Zagorka to be enjoyed in the shade of the eponymous umbrellas!! Sorry, no other contact details as yet ;(
|
| | |
Visiting Vidin?
Read reviews about Vidin Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Fishing the River danube by Markiles |
 by denise_BGLeave a Comment
|
This is the main sight in Vidin. It is situated somewhere north of town close to the Danube. I didn't go there because I was too busy exploring the wonderfull world of Bulgarian cable tv. Leave a Comment
|
 Victims of Communism
Memorial in Vidin by josephescu
Looking at it, I couldn’t refrain an evil thought – communism victims seem…quite insignificant and small, even obscure...when compared with the benefits of communism indicated through the grandeur of the Mother Bulgaria. Leave a Comment Directions: On the river front just in front of hotel Dunav
|
 by szabunov
Images of sites, nature and infrastructure.
|
 | 1 | 2 |  |
|
|
