The town of Vidin (69 803 inhabitants, 20-25 m above sea level) is situated in the lowest terrace of the Vidin Lowland along the Danube River. It is located 199 km northwest of the city of Sofia, 102 km northwest of the town of Montana, 52 km northwest of the town of Belogradchik, 56 km northwest of the town of Lom and 30 km southeast of the border town of Bregovo (Serbia).
     The geographical situation of the town has been extremely favourable for centuries to its development as a transport, trade and cultural centre. Vidin is Bulgaria's most important artery and gate to Europe and the world.

     History

     It is one of the oldest Bulgarian towns.The past of this town dates 23 centuries ago. As early as 3rd century BC the Celts built a settlement here with the name Dounonia (a high and fortified place). The Romans put into final shape the fortress with the purpose to guard the border road along the Danube and named it Bononia. Bulgarians named the town Bdin, and Byzantines - Vidini. In the meantime it was ruined and built again many times. In 1003 Gavril Radomir, the son of the Bulgarian Tsar Samouil, stood the 8-months siege of the Byzantine Emperor Vassilii II. The town reaches the greatest flourishing at the end of 14th century, when it becomes a capital of the Bdin Kingdom of Ivan Sratsimir (1360). It has been a port on the river and an important trade centre of goods not only for domestic needs, but also for transit trade with Vlashko (Romania), Madzharsko, Dubrovnik, etc. A gospel from 1360 says that it was written in "the great and crowded town of Bdin". The rise of the town ceased in 1396 when the Turks invades it. Since then Bulgaria started counting the 482 dark years of Ottoman rule, the 127195 endless days of persecution, terror, human misery, assimilation and overt genocide.
     In those centuries Vidin had been a great fortress and an important administrative centre. In 17th century it was even called " the main town of Bulgaria". In 1794-1807 the town became a centre of the absolute Turkish military leader Osman Pazvantooglu, who declared himself an independent ruler of a considerable part of Bulgarian northwestern territories. During his rule construction on a large scale developed in the town - new streets were made, big administrative buildings rose, mosques and medreses (Islamic religious schools) were built, etc. Some of them are preserved even till now. Vidin gradually turned into an oriental town, especially after the settlement of some Turks after the defeat near Vienna and the liberation of Serbia. Expression of desperate fight for national liberation was the famous Vidin Uprising of 1850 headed by Boiadzhi Stanko Voivoda. Gradually with development of shipping along the Danube and with the strengthening of the trade ties with Central Europe the standard of living of its inhabitants rose. Through Vidin Port Austrian Shipping Co. bought the production of the whole Western Bulgaria, incl. Macedonia. That went on till 1866 when neighbouring Lom was connected through a road with Sofia and replaced Vidin.
     After the Liberation (1877) the town changed basically its ethnical population in favour of the Bulgarians. During the Serbian-Bulgarian War after the Union of Eastern Roumelia with the Bulgarian Principality (1885) Vidin was successfully defended by captain Atanas Uzunov. The town is a birthplace of the eminent Bulgarian social activist Naicho Tsanov and of world famous artist post-impressionist artist Jul Pasken (Iulius Pinkas, 1885-1930), a brilliant representative of the Paris School of Art.

     Landmarks

     Today, Vidin is a complex mix of elements from all periods of its development. The antique Roman, mediaeval Bulgarian, Turkish, post-Liberation and new period of Vidin's development have all left their mark on buildings, monuments and on the look of the city as a whole.
     Baba Vida Fortress-Museum - it is named after an old legend - it is the biggest historical sight of Vidin and is the best preserved medieval Bulgarian fortress in the country. It has been built in different historical periods from 3rd century till the end of 19th century. Most active were the construction works under the reign of Ivan Srazimir. The main body of the fortress of that time is preserved even today - the main turrets and bastions, as well as the inner surrounding wall that connects them. A museum exhibition is arranged in the fortress. There is a theatrical scene and dramatic performances with historical plots are played among the unique scenery.
     The Vidin fortified system, known also as the Turkish Kale, was built in 17th-18th century. Today in a comparatively good outlook are preserved the fortified wall facing the Danube, the northern sector of the fortress facing the town with its 4 gates - Stambolkapia, Pazarkapia, Nechirekapia and Florentinkapia. The system has the form of a semi-circle seesaw line of 1800 m diametre, touching the Danube River. Seen from the land the fortification consists of a moat and a ground rampart, whose corners are formed by 8 stone 5-angle bastions. With the construction of the Kale and including the Baba Vida Fortress as a main citadel in the common defencive system, in the second half of 18th century Vidin became a first-class key military point along the Danube.
     The Town Historical Museum is one of the richest and best-arranged museums in the country. It is housed in two buildings - in the past Turkish Konak (police office) from 18th century are arranged the Archaeology, Revival Period and National-Liberation Movement sections, and the Ethnographic section is placed in the Krustatata Kazarma (barracks building like a crest) - an original architectural monument from the end of 18th century.
     Osman Pazvantouglou's Mosque and Library - Only the mosque and the library have remained from Pazvantoglou's compound, built at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century. The compound has probably included a medrese (school) or a zavie (a small Muslim religious cloister).
     The mosque is a solid stone building with a strict oriental structure. Pazvantoglou dedicated it to his father who was decapitated in Vidin on sultan's order.
     The library is a stone, square, single-dimensional building, covered by a dome of lead tin, with a small open foyer. The inscription at the entrance states that Pazvantoglou has dedicated it to his late mother.
     The Mausoleum of Antim I - The mausoleum is a square, domed building of white stone from Vratsa. It was designed by architect Iliya Popov and built in 1934. A mosaic portrait of Antim I is placed at the entrance. The interior is painted with icons. A stone sculpture of the first Bulgarian ekzarks is placed on the inside. Antim I's remains are placed in a sarcophagus in a basement crypt.
     The St. Panteleymon Church is the most precious monument of Bulgarian architecture and art in the town from the age of Turkish rule. It is located in the courtyard of the Vidin Bishopric. The church is single-nave, half built into the ground, with a semicylindrical dome. The apse is wide, slightly prolonged, the narthex is dimly lighted. The walls are stone, with four rows of bricks and a jagged stone ledge under the ceiling. The inscription over the entrance states that the church was built over older foundations in 1634. The interior is painted. Belts and medallions with figures of saints are located on the upper parts of the walls and the dome is painted witg gospel scenes. Christ and Mary are depicted in two medallions in the center of the dome. The Slavonic inscription over the entrance states that the church was painted under Vidin bishop Sofronii in 1646. The old icon-holder wasn't preserved. The church keeps two icons with precious repousse covers, made by prominent Vidin jewellers in 1823 and 1832.
     Other architectural, cultural and historic monuments include: the Cross-Shaped Barracks; the Turkish post office; the art gallery; the Mathematics High School building; the synagogue; the Drama Theater; the St. Dimitar, cathedral; St. Nikolai and St. Petka churches, as well as many other monuments of world, national and local importance.

     Recreation places

     Vidin is also known by its beautiful riverbank park. The unique layout of the park, a mixture of different styles, was preserved through the centuries. The combination of an English park layout and Baroque forms of vegetation gives the park an unique, typically Bulgarian look. The riverbank park is located along the bank of the Danube and includes wonderful beaches and recreation places.
     Danube Riverbank Park - With its preserved original layout, the park is a historic landmark. The combination of an English park layout and Baroque forms of vegetation gives the park an unique, typically Bulgarian look. The riverbank park is located along the bank of the Danube and includes wonderful beaches and recreation places.
     The riverbank park was built in four consecutive stages: 1878 - 1899, 1911 - 1928, 1928 - 1939; and 1939 - 1960. Significant architectural monuments are incorporated in the park, such as Veda Theater, the mosque, Telegraph Kapiya, the Turkish post office, the Baba Vida fortress, as well as archaeological and memorial sites that provide visual contact with the Danube.
     Other public green areas include: Vladikina Bahcha Park, where Vidin's bishop's summer residence used to be located. The garden over the moat, located in the section of the filled-up fortress moat. Nora Chelebi Pizanti Park, where the Vidin fair used to take place. Maiski Les Park The Hunting Park close to the city. Nice flower gardens have been formed around the large public buildings, which make the city look fresh, clean and cosy.
     Orlyaka recreation area - Located on the riverbank, 4 kilometers southwest of Vidin, this area consists of the Dounav camping lot. The area provides great short-term recreation opportunities, such as water sports and fishing. It is easily accessible from the city. The Vidin - Kalafat ferryboat line is located close to the area. Area visitors include transit tourists, both Bulgarians and foreigners. Accessible by a paved road.
     Bozhuritsa recreation area is located 18 km away from Vidin, between the villages of Sinagovtsi, Ivanovtsi and Milchina Luka. Has a small dam. The area has a total of 600 beds, including those of the Bozhuritsa Hut and the recreational facilities owned by companies and organizations. The area offers short-term and long-term recreation opportunities in a forest environment, as well as swimming, rowing and fishing opportunities. The possibilities for forest walks and treks are great and the area is abundant of mushrooms, wild fruits and herbs. The existence of wilde game (deer, wild boar, rabbits, pheasants, etc.) offers good hunting opportunities. The area can be easily accessed from Vidin and the neighboring communities. Regular bus lines are available.

     Climate

     The climate in Vidin and the region is moderate continental. The winters are very cold, with minimum precipitation, while summers are extremely hot, with maximum precipitation. The flat landscape allows for humid and warm air flows from the northwest in the spring, summer an fall, and for cold continental air flows from the east in the winter.

     Relief

     The earth relief of Vidin Region varies in altitude from the Danube River to the Balkan Mountains. There are four natural geographical zones within the region: the Danube Lowlands, the Hilly Danube Plain, the Northern Balkan and the Balkan. The Danube Lowlands comprise the waterfront strips at Vidin and at Archar and Orsoya. The Lowlands' altitude varies from about 20 m to 30 m. The Hilly Danube Plain is the place to grow grain crops, sunflower, fodder crops and vegetables. The Northern Balkan's altitude varies from 200 m to 800 m above the sea level. It ranges from Vrushka Chouka to the foot of the Balkan Mountains, the Rabisha Hill and the Belogradchik Crown of Rocks being its most outstanding secluded heights.

     Logistics-roads, railroads, airports

     Vidin Region is in the North-West part of Bulgaria and it covers an area of 3022 sq. km, which is 2.7 per cent of the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vidin Region comprises 141 settlements, divided into 11 municipalities in compliance with the current territorial division of the Republic of Bulgaria.
     Vidin Region is connected to all other parts of the country and to the border checkpoints by railroad, road and waterway.
     The region's road infrastructure is of great micro and macro importance, especially its Vidin-Montana-Vratza-Botevgrad-Sofia Motorway, which is part of the E-79 International Route.
     The region has been decided to be the best site for the construction of the second bridge between Bulgaria and Romania across the Danube.
     Waterway transport is a major factor for the region's development. There are two river ports in the region: the one at Vidin and the one at Novo Selo, which does not function. These ports are part of the shortest way from Western Europe through Bulgaria to the Aegean Sea. The mainland can be connected to the capital cities of Europe by means of two ferryboats, which are adjusted to transport passengers, buses and automobile cars. A great deal of the traffic of goods to and from Western Europe passes through Vidin Region.
     Railroad transport is another factor, salient for the region's economic development. It is provided by a single railroad track from Vidin to Drenovetz as a continuation of the Vidin-Sofia railroad and has been fully electrified. There is a civil airport, situated on the out skirts of the region's capital city, Vidin. The airport does not function for financial reasons. From Sofia Airport to Vidin - 250 km (International Road E-79).