Введение Vidin sights

    Vidin – At the Crossroads of Countries, Histories, and Religions

What could prompt a curious traveler to visit a Danubian city, overcoming hundreds of kilometers to reach the very edge of Bulgaria in the northwest?

Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Roman antiquity, medieval revival, and oriental flair simply must visit Vidin.

A walk through the old park will provide an opportunity to enjoy wonderful landscapes and historical monuments. The main attractions of the city begin right here…

First, a little history…

The geographical location of Vidin is a decisive factor in its emergence. The fertility of the Vidin Lowland and the proximity of the Danube River created the prerequisites for the first settlements here in ancient times. The city was an attractive place for various ethnic groups, great empires, and historical figures.

Even in Bulgaria itself, not everyone remembers that during the Second Bulgarian Empire, under Despot Shishman, Vidin was the capital of Bulgaria. After his death, power passed into the hands of his son, Michael III Shishman, who was elected Tsar of Bulgaria by the boyar council in 1323. Michael III Shishman remained Tsar for 7 years and was killed in a battle with the Serbs in 1330.

In the mid-14th century, Ivan Sratsimir became the head of the Bdin Principality, and in 1371 he completely severed his relations with the Tarnovo Metropolis and declared himself Tsar of the Bdin Tsardom.

In 1396, European countries organized a crusade against the Ottomans under the leadership of the Hungarian King Sigismund. Tsar Ivan Sratsimir supported the crusader army, but the coalition was defeated, and the Bulgarian Tsar died in captivity.

Ivan Sratsimir's son, Asen, continued to be a vassal of the Ottomans and heir to the throne until his death in 1422, which coincided with the decline of the Bdin Tsardom.Following that period, Bulgaria's capital shifted from Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia.

After the Liberation from Ottoman rule, Vidin changed its appearance and acquired a European look. Western fashion trends in architecture and urban development were the first to arrive in Vidin owing to river navigation.

The Danubian fortress city abounds in historical monuments, which in different eras were the backdrop for many events and continue to remind us of their former grandeur.

Vidin has preserved a rich ancient history. Therefore, let's start with the monuments of the Roman Empire. We will see the remains of the ancient city of Bononia and stand in awe before the medieval castle "Baba Vida." Then, the monuments of the 500-year Turkish rule, preserved to our time. We will not overlook the old churches, the mosque, and the unique Synagogue.

After a short introduction dedicated to the history of the emergence of the city of Vidin, we can begin the tour of the main attractions.