Vidin

I visited Vidin in 2008 on a day trip. The town was very quiet when I visited. It is home to 2 fortresses, the Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik Castle, as well as the Konaka Historical Museum.

Baba Vida Fortress is the best preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Construction started in the 10th century and it was used through the next 900 years in one form or another. The legend of Baba Vida Fortress is the Bulgarian king who ruled Vidin had three daughters: Vida, Kula and Gamza. Prior to his death, he divided his kingdom amongst the three. Vida, the eldest, was given Vidin and the lands north to the Carpathians, Kula was given Zaječar and the Timok Valley, and Gamza was given the lands west up to the Morava. Although Gamza and Kula married drunkard and warlike nobles, Vida remained unmarried and built the fortress in Vidin. The castle name means "Granny Vida".

Belogradchik Castle and the surrounding Belogradchik Rocks are well worth a visit. The initial fortress was constructed in Roman times and you can see the site was chosen due to the terrain. Over the years further fortifications were added. It is well worth a visit both the castle and surrounding terrain.