Baba Vida, Vidin, Bulgaria - SpottingHistory

Baba Vida is a medieval castle in Vidin in northwestern Bulgaria and the town's primary landmark. It consists of two concentric curtain walls and about nine towers of which three are preserved to their full medieval height, including the original battlements, and is the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country.

The construction of the castle began in the 10th century at the place of the Ancient Roman castell Bononia. The building of Baba Vida is tied to a legend, according to which a Danubian Bulgarian king who ruled at Vidin had three daughters: Vida, Kula and Gamza. Prior to his death, he divided his realm among the three. Vida, the eldest, was given Vidin and the lands north to the Carpathians, Kula was awarded Zaječar and the Timok Valley, and Gamza was to rule the lands west up to the Morava. Although Gamza and Kula married to drunkard and warlike nobles, Vida remained unmarried and built the castle in her city.

Baba Vida served as part of Vidin's main defensive installation during the course of the Middle Ages and acted as the citadel of the most important fortress of northwestern Bulgaria. The Baba Vida stronghold withstood an eight-month-long siege by Byzantine forces led by Basil II. It was enlarged and modernized during the rule of tsar Ivan Stratsimir (1356-1396), as whose capital it served. Between 1365 and 1369, the castle was in Hungarian hands. Vidin was suddenly attacked by the forces of Louis I of Hungary, but it took several months to conquer Baba Vida. In 1369, Ivan Sratsimir managed to regain control of his capital, albeit having to remain under Hungarian overlordship.

In 1388, the Ottomans invaded Sratsimir's lands and forced him to become their vassal. In 1396, he joined an anti-Ottoman crusade led by the King of Hungary, Sigismund, placing his resources at the crusaders' disposal. The crusade ended in the disastrous Battle of Nicopolis at Nikopol, Bulgaria, with the Ottomans capturing most of Sratsimir's domains shortly thereafter, in 1397.

The castle played a role during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria, serving as a weapon warehouse and a prison, also as residence for Osman Pazvantoğlu, and it has been no longer used for defensive purposes since the end of the 18th century.

Today, Baba Vida castle functions as a museum. Being a popular tourist attraction, the castle is being kept in repair.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Bulgaria

Address

Vidin, Bulgaria

See all sites in Vidin

Details

Founded: 10th century AD
Category: Castles and fortifications in Bulgaria

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
visitmybulgaria.com

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Belogradchik Fortress (44,4 km)
Ratiaria (19,6 km)
Castra Martis (31,2 km)
Magura Cave (38,2 km)
Albotin Monastery (21 km)

User Reviews

Лъчезар Арсов (2 years ago)
Historic sigth with great significance to the region, one should deffinetelly check if near Vidin. Also great view to the Danube and the romanian side.

Travel B (2 years ago)
This was a very well maintained castle. Great to explore if you're able bodied. Steep cobblestone incline to second floor with great views. Small rooms to explore on first floor but steep stair (1 to 2 steps) entrances.

Nadia Dutrieux (2 years ago)
The fortress is well looked after. 7 lev per adult for entrance - just opposite the entrance is the ticket office. No tour guide. The fortress can be viewed from the inside and outside. Keep an eye out for beautiful foxes outside of the fortress in the early mornings and late afternoons. Spectacular views of the Danube from the top of the fortress. Time spent - 30 to 45 minutes. Definitely worth the visit.

Momchil Bekyarski (2 years ago)
An unexpected not-ruined fortress full of history. Make sure you put it in your must-see list! There is a free parking lot on site.

Dobriyana Dimitrova (2 years ago)
I was so glad to finally visit the fortress. If you are with kids be aware that there are some places missing appropriate safety measures. I wish there were interactive boards and lighting.

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Baba Vida