Vidin

Vidin is the administrative centre of the homonymous District and Municipality and is the westernmost important Bulgarian Danube Port (http://cmamyc.com/port/), located at 150 km from the capital town of Sofia. A ferryboat complex, linking Vidin with Calafat (Romania) on the opposite side of the river, is located 2 km from the town. The complex is to be replaced by the Vidin-Kalafat Bridge probably in the year 2012.

Vidin emerged at the place of an old Celtic settlement known as Dunonia. The settlement evolved into an Roman fortified town called Bononia. 

Vidin Municipality has dominant importance for the regional economy with 90% of the net sales and 83% of the number of active companies (in 2007). Тhe economic indicators of Vidin Municipality and District are relatively smaller compared to those of the country.

The major cultural and historical attractions in Vidin are the well-preserved medieval Baba Vida fortress, as well as many old Orthodox churches such as St. Panteleimon, St. Petka (both of 17th century), the Cathedral temple of St. Greatmartyr Dimitar (St. Demetrius) (19th century), the Vidin Synagogue (1894), the Osman Pazvantoğlu mosque and library, the Krastata Kazarma (Crosswise barracks) of 1798, Turkish Konak “Koluka” and Turkish post office, remains of a Roman wall and tower “Kaleto” and six gates, which were entrances to the Baba Vida fortress: “Vidbolska”, “Enichar”, “Florentin”, “Telegraph”, “Pazar”, “Stamboli”.

The Vidin cultural establishments are: Municipal Dramatic Theatre, State Puppet Theatre, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Historical Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Art Gallery, Universal City Library “Mihalaki Georgiev”, Ensemble for folk songs and dances “Dunav”, Community centre “Tsvyat”, City Brass Band, etc.

Among the cultural events in Vidin are: Annual Vidin Fair, Celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Jules Pascin, Viennese Ball, International Folklore Festival “Dancing along the Danube”, Authentic Folklore Fest “Danubian Rhythms”, International Festival of Roma Song and Dance “For peace”, International Festival of Bulgarian-Romanian Folklore, …

There are many possibilities for alternative tourism:

• The Bozhuritza countryside – a place for tourist’s outgoing and relaxation (also for hunting and fishing). It is located at 18 km southwest of Vidin, between the rivers Milchina and Vidbol.
• The Orliaka countryside (at 4 km northwest of Vidin along the Danube) with campsite “Dunav” and favourable conditions for water sports and fishing.
• The Danube River Park: The Vidin region is the only place where the “sun rises from west”. This visual illusion is a result from a curve which shifts the river flow with 180 degrees. Many other urban parks can be visited in Vidin: Vladikina bahcha, Nora Chelebi Pizanti, Mayski les, etc.
•  A Rock Monastery (Albotinski Monastery) is located on 21 km of Vidin (between the villages of Rabrovo and Topolovets).

The perspectives are: historical, cruise, cognitive, rural, wine, fishing, culinary and ecotourism.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidin

http://en.vidin.government.bg/094/60-16-16/sidebar/oblast_vidin/svedeniq.html

http://www.vidin-online.com/eng/culture-tourism-and-leisure-opportunities/

http://www.picturesofbulgaria.com/article/baba_vida_fortress.html

http://www.investbulgaria.com/Vidin.php