Baba Vida

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Description

Baba Vida is a medieval fortress 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 said to be the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country. Baba Vida is 39 metres (128 ft) above sea level.

The construction of the fortress 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 fortress in her city. The name of the castle means "Granny Vida".[1]

Baba Vida served as Vidin's main defensive installation during the course of the Middle Ages and acted as the most important fortress of northwestern Bulgaria. The Baba Vida stronghold stood an eight-month-long siege by Byzantine forces led by Basil II, but was destroyed and once again erected during the rule of Ivan Stratsimir, as whose capital it served. Between 1365 and 1369, the fortress 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 fortress played a role during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria, serving as a weapon warehouse and a prison, also as residence for Osman Pazvantoğlu, as 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 fortress is being kept in repair.

Street view

Reviews

31.07.2021 Hristo
Gorgeous fortress! You should definitely visit the place, especially if you like historical buildings and castles. Baba Vida is a great monument of the glorious Bulgarian history!
31.07.2021 Bernhard
Apart from a great old fotress/castle, Baba Vida offers a small exhibition of photos of Vidin over roughly the last 100 years. Great to see how the city changed over time.
31.07.2021 Mario
This medieval fortress stands like a guardian of the Danube River. Baba Vida is perfectly preserved and holds a great range of interesting sights within.
31.07.2021 Kristian
Pretty well preserved fortress. Could use some more decoration but nothing to complain about. Pro tip for​ visitors: last Thursday of each month - no entry fee.
17.07.2018 Simeon
Awesome place! Real medieval castle. In one off the rooms there it's even a skeleton!
05.07.2018 Diana
It is a beautiful place with a lot if history, some mystery and nice view. Just need some cleaning and people stop using it as a toilet.
27.06.2018 Lyuben
Medieval age fortress in Vidin, Bulgaria that is probably the Best preserved one in the country. The entrance is pretty cheap (2 eur) but the Best is to ask for guide to understand most for the history of the place and how it was changed throughout the years.
15.06.2018 Paul
If your thinking of Welsh castles this is very tame but pleasant.
12.06.2018 Gergana
It’s the only completely preserved fortress in Bulgaria. It dates back to the 10th century. There are not so many tourists so it’s easy to explore, walk around and just take pictures. It’s a nice fortress, must see if you are in the area.
05.06.2018 Alexander
Fantastic place. Pitty it's so poorly maintained and presented.
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