Fortress of Baba Vida

Baba Vida is a building on the banks of the Danube River, almost the only example of European fort-building in Bulgaria. Most of the fortress has been preserved from the 14th century to the present day.

History of the fortress

The place for the construction of the Baba Vida fortress was not chosen by chance, before the construction of the walls, a military camp of the ancient Romans was based here. Most historical information suggests that the fortress was founded in the early 10th century.

One of the very first buildings on the territory of the fort was the Bolonia Tower, made in the ancient Roman style, currently it is not in the best condition. Another tower, dedicated to Tsar John Sratsimir, has reached us in a slightly better form. The tower is named after the ruler, reaches a height of 16 meters and has an original architecture, thanks to which it enjoys the attention of tourists.

By the 13th and 14th centuries, the Baba Vida fortress was a reliable shelter, with stone walls built in 2 rows. There were 4 towers in the inner circle, and 9 in the outer one. In the courtyard there was a fortified residence of the ruler and a church, and in the space between the walls there were various outbuildings. In the Middle Ages, the fortress was used, among other things, to store an arsenal and ammunition. And during the Russian-Turkish wars, it performed a number of defensive functions. For some time, prisoners were kept here, using the fortress premises as prison cells.

Baba Vida Fortress was relatively lucky, due to its remote location, it was not destroyed during the Ottoman conquest. The fortress took its last battle in 1885, in defense against Serbian troops. The military operations were led by Commandant Uzunov. The forces were not on the side of the besieged, but courage and bravery helped to gain the upper hand. Uzunov has since been declared an honorary resident of the city of Vidin.

The Fortress today

Since 1964, Baba Vida Fortress has been a monument of national importance. After global renovation work, it was opened to the general public as a museum. Here you can see a large number of amazing exhibits from different times. And for the convenience of visitors, a stone bridge over the moat was specially erected. The summer theater at the fortress museum plays out performances from the rich history of these places. From the walls of the fortress there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Baba Vida Fortress is under UNESCO protection as a monument of medieval culture and is very popular among residents of the city of Vidin and tourists who come to touch the ancient history.