Travel Guide Vidin (Видин)

Standing on the banks of the Danube opposite Romania, in the extreme north-west of the country, the city of Vidin is a privileged site, with a singular atmosphere and a varied heritage. Its vestiges of the Ottoman era as well as its pedestrian streets with numerous neoclassical facades give it a certain architectural richness. The banks of the Danube form a seductive landscape. Far from being museum-like or harmonious, its streets invite you to stroll through its center, while the multicultural history of the city makes it a privileged witness of another Bulgaria. Its Baba Vida fortress - a must-see -, its neoclassical facades, its churches, its mosque and its ruined synagogue are as many fascinating sites, while its Danube promenade offers a strolling setting. Called the "main city of Bulgaria" by the Turks in the 14th century, Vidin was built on a commercial and port tradition. The Calafat-Vidin bridge connects the two banks of the Danube (it costs 12 leva to cross by car).