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Bulgaria, Danube region, Vidin region

The passing away shiness of Vidin

posted by Dario
May 15, 2018 883 0 0
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Vidin, Bdin or one of the Danube treasures

The time has come to realize one of those modest dreams you can accomplish at any time, but you just have to organise yourself to do it. Most of you will think instantly “Is this normal? “A dream related to Vidin? Yes, that is right, I always wanted to visit Vidin and no, I have no ties with the city. My desire to visit this beautiful northwest city has grown a lot in the past two years and I thought it was time!

So I started my next adventure in one of my most favorite parts in Bulgaria – Northwest. Before I share with you the two places I will be talking about today, I want to pay a little more attention to Vidin itself.

I visit this city for the first time and I am looking forward to visiting it again because it is not just another point of administrative importance and some history but one of the few remaining real Danube treasures of Bulgaria. Vidin is one of those cities that are extremely underestimated and forgotten. Yes, it is true, the roads are terrible, the area as a whole is depopulated, but that does not mean and MUST NOT mean it is like a place in the third, fourth or some other world. What so if it is the poorest part of the European Union? How precisely does this define the area as lost, boring and unattractive? And here comes the moment when I will repeat myself once again – do the economic indicators define what is every part of the state? Absolutely NOT, I have always argued that the true wealth of a place is nature, cohabitation with it, the history and traditions of the population. This is the real wealth and not only for Vidin but for every small or big settlement in Bulgaria and beyond, because, after all, everything that I have listed contributes to the enrichment and fulfilment of our personal puzzle of life.

  • The story of Vida
  • Ruins of tolerance

The story of Vida

But let us now turn to a fragment of Vidin’s unique heritage, which is, as a whole, the only one of its kind in Bulgaria. My first stop is the Baba Vida fortress, there is no way you don’t visit this medieval idyll immediately after arriving  in the city.

However, let me first introduce you with one or two sentences in the prehistory of this place before today’s fortress we know. The place has always had defensive functions. The first defensive building here was built in the 3rd century during the Roman Empire and was named Bononia. Then the fortress was used actively during the First Bulgarian Kingdom, but most of the heritage we witnessed today is dated from the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The castle was then under the rule of king Ivan Sratsimir who contributed to the construction of numerous internal buildings.

Nowadays the Baba Vida Fortress is famous for being the only fully preserved medieval fortress in Bulgaria. It provides an emotion that can not be felt anywhere else. And its premises have been turned into a museum, with many information boards, various open objects in its history, even a room / prison in which there are tools the Turks have used to tortured the prisoners.

The most magical moment of this place comes when you walk through the walls of the fortress, climb the towers or just stand on the balconies, next to the tops, all just a few meters from the beautiful Danube … priceless!

Useful information:
Work time:
Summer season:
Monday-Friday: 08: 30-17: 00h
Saturday-Sunday: 09: 30-17: 30h

Winter season:
Monday-Friday: 08: 30-16: 30h
Saturday-Sunday: 10: 00-16: 30h;

Prices:
Adults – 4 lv;
students – 2lv;
Talk – 20.00 lv;

The place is suitable for a family walk;
There is a large parking lot at the very beginning of the park;
From the very entrance of the city there are signs that point to the fortress;
I do not think I need to persuade you to visit this place because I know you will make this gift to yourself;

Ruins of tolerance

The second landmark, if I can call it so, is a real echo of a glorious past. The Vidin Synagogue is a magnificent building that, although lost its former brilliance and grandeur, impresses with its architecture to this day.

As you can see from the pictures, what’s left today is just memories of  past beauty. The history of the Synagogue dates back to 1894 and was built on the site of the former synagogue, which was destroyed during the Russo-Turkish Liberation War.

After the war, thanks to donations from the Jewish community from all over Bulgaria, the rebuilding was started and within a year, today’s building was built, nowadays only leaving beautiful symbols and ruins.

Before being completely abandoned in 1950, the synagogue was used as a warehouse, which contributed to the great miserable state in which it is today.

But let’s look at the more positive side of things. Regardless of the current state of the synagogue, we can say that it still looks stunningly beautiful and is a unique monument of culture. And I believe that one day it will be restored and will return the to look that it deserves!

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About me

Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
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So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
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#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

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Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
It is the uncertainty that charms one. A mist make It is the uncertainty that charms one. A mist makes things wonderful.

#Bulgaria #mist #nature
The geological phenomenon "Strupanitsa" is formed The geological phenomenon "Strupanitsa" is formed among the Maastrichtian limestones of "Mezdrenska" and "Kailashkata svita". 

It is located 2 km north of the village of Karlukovo, on the right bank of Iskar rivar, to a cliff with a height of 60-70 m. It is a huge landslide of rock blocks, mostly cubic and parallelepiped-shaped, with dimensions up to 15-20 m.

The formation of the landslide is most likely due to the undermining of the vertical rocks of the gorge of the Iskar River at a very sharp left turn. Most likely, a deep niche was formed initially, and later the cracked massive limestones collapsed, changing the course of the river. 

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