Happy TravellerWelcome to Vidin, a beautiful port city located on the southern bank of the Danube in north-western Bulgaria. This charming city is situated close to the borders of Romania and Serbia, making it an ideal destination for exploring the region. Vidin is also the administrative center of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin since 870. With its fertile hinterland renowned for its wines, Vidin is not only an agricultural center but also a hub of trade and commerce.
Vidin’s Name:
The name Vidin is archaically spelled as Widdin in English. The old name Dunonia meant fortified hill in Celtic with the typically dun found frequently in Celtic place names.
Vidin’s Geography:
Vidin is the westernmost important Bulgarian Danube port and is situated on one of the southernmost sections of the river. The New Europe Bridge, completed in 2013, connects Vidin to the Romanian town of Calafat on the opposite bank of the Danube. Vidin has a humid subtropical climate close to a temperate continental climate, from which it is shifting further and further away due to global warming. In the winter months, inversions are very common. The average annual temperature is 12.5 °C (54.5 °F).
Vidin’s History:
Vidin emerged at the place of an old Celtic settlement known as Dunonia. The settlement evolved into a Roman fortified town called Bononia. The town grew into one of the important centers of the province of Upper Moesia, encompassing the territory of modern north-western Bulgaria and eastern Serbia. When Slavs settled in the area, they called the town Badin or Bdin, where the modern name comes from. In the Middle Ages, Vidin used to be an important Bulgarian city, a bishop seat, and capital of a large province.
Vidin’s Tourism:
Vidin maintains two well-preserved medieval fortresses, Baba Vida, and Kaleto, as well as many old Orthodox churches such as St Pantaleimon, St Petka (both 17th century), and St Dimitar (Demetrius of Thessaloniki) (19th century), the Vidin Synagogue (1894), the Osman Pazvantoğlu Mosque and library, the late 18th-century Turkish ruler of north-western Bulgaria, the Krastata Kazarma of 1798, and a number of old Renaissance buildings. Also remarkable is the theatre building which was the first Bulgarian theatre in European model and was built in 1891. Another tourist attraction in the Vidin area is the town of Belogradchik, famous for its unique and impressive rock formations, the Belogradchik Rocks, and the medieval Belogradchik Fortress, and also the nearby Magura Cave with its beautiful prehistoric cave paintings.
Vidin’s Landmarks:
Close to the town lies a powerful medium-wave broadcasting station (since 1973) whose signals can be easily received throughout Europe. It works on 576 kHz and on 1224 kHz with a power of 500 kW each. For transmission on 576 kHz a 259-meter-tall (850 ft) guyed mast equipped with a cage antenna at its lower part is used. The transmission of 576 kHz Radio Hristo Botev is on hold for now because of the world financial crisis, and it is unknown when it will resume broadcasting. A powerful FM transmitter on 88.2 MHz provides good coverage for Hristo Botev radio. Only 1224 kHz Radio Bulgaria remains atm.
Vidin’s Population:
Vidin is the 20th town by population in Bulgaria, with a population of 48,071 inhabitants as of 2011, and 40,422 inhabitants as of 2021. The following table presents the change of the population after 1887.
Vidin’s Transportation:
In Vidin, there is a border-station to neighboring Romania via the Danube river. It was operated by ferryboats only until June 14, 2013, when the Vidin–Calafat Bridge opened. The city has a regional airport (Vidin Airport, ICAO code LBVD) a few kilometers to the northwest; as of 2000, there is no scheduled passenger service, and the buildings are in a state of disrepair. There are, however, state development plans to rebuild and restore the activity of Vidin airport.
Vidin is a must-visit destination for travelers interested in exploring Bulgaria’s rich history, picturesque landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine. With its well-preserved medieval fortresses, old Orthodox churches, and impressive rock formations, Vidin is a unique and fascinating city that should not be missed.
