Amidst the ebb and flow of the mighty Danube, Vidin stands as a bastion of Bulgaria's rich legacy, its storied fortress and mosaic of historical landmarks forming a silent testament to the town's enduring saga.
Vidin is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, its history spans centuries and the town’s famous monuments and hotspots paint the picture of Vidin’s rich and colourful history. From its beginnings in the 3rd Century BC as a Celtic fort to Vidin’s time under Roman occupation followed by a long period under the Hungarian and Ottoman Empires, and finally leading to its liberation in the 19th Century. You will be immersed in the fascinating and long history of this unique Bulgarian town. On your cruises to Vidin, you will have the option to take a guided tour, visiting some of the town’s most famous historic buildings including the Medieval Baba Vida or Belogradchik Rock Fortresses.
With a history as rich and varied as Vidin’s, it’s no surprise that the town holds some wonderful architecture spanning a breadth of different religions. Although now deserted and sadly left to ruin, the Vidin Synagogue built in 1894 is well worth a visit. Vidin The 17th Century Orthodox church of St. Panteleimon is decorated all over with beautiful frescos and artwork that are still in good condition, St Petka is a smaller church from the same period but less decorated, there are sometimes local guides who will be happy to translate the frescos and offer information about the buildings and their history. The gardens of the Cathedral of St Dimitar are a lovely place to wander around if you are visiting Vidin on a sunny day.
Vidin’s wide array of art galleries and museums is another popular draw for visitors to the town. The most popular is the Baba Vida Fortress, just a short walk from the cruise port, make sure you have a little local currency to allow you to enter inside, as the top of the fortress offers a stunning view of the Danube. Another historical museum worth a visit is the aptly named Cross-Shaped Barracks Museum. Housing exhibitions of the army memorabilia and displays from Vidin’s Ottoman past. Close to the river and just past Danube Park is the Nikola Petrov Gallery and Museum. Housing over 1,000 examples of Bulgarian art, the gallery’s curator has been known to offer personal tours offering a remarkable insight into the various collections.
No matter what time of year you visit Vidin, you will be likely to encounter a local festival. The town has a rich history and heritage and this is celebrated in a busy calendar of events, from summer music festivals to seasonal folk celebrations. We recommend the Vidin festival - which is at the end of August and runs across nine days. The line-up includes Bulgarian pop and folk artists with delicious local food; and Dance along the Danube, a folklore festival with groups from neighbouring countries Poland, Greece, Serbia, Romania and Turkey.
Which cruise lines sail to Vidin?
