The castle-citadel in the city of Vidin - Vidin Fortress - Bulgaria The Vidin Fortress is a medieval castle in the old capital city of Vidin. This is the only fully preserved castle in Bulgaria. It served as the residence of the Vidin kings during the Middle Ages (with barracks for the guards and other office premises). The castle is located on the northwestern bank of the large bend of the Danube River near the city of Vidin. The first construction activities on the castle date back to the period of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. The construction of the actual castle began in the 10th century. Byzantine chronicles indicate that the Vidin fortress (not to be confused with the castle) withstood an 8-month siege by Byzantine troops led by Emperor Basil II in 1003. The Byzantines nevertheless entered the fortress, but with bribery and deception. Throughout the period of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the fortress surrounding medieval Bdin and its castle was the most important fortification in Northwestern Bulgaria. As for the castle, its greatest expansion was under Tsar Ivan Sratsimir, who ruled the Vidin Kingdom and for whom the castle was the royal residence. "Baba Vida" is a castle-museum, open to visitors since 1958, a cultural monument of national importance since 1964, on the list of the Hundred National Tourist Sites of the Bulgarian Tourist Union. The museum preserves and presents finds and information about the history of the castle. Reenactments in the museum recreate the former atmosphere of the castle. In the passage between the southeastern outer and inner walls on the Danube side, in 1964, a stage for a summer theater with 350 seats was built, where the "Vidin Theater Days" festival is held. Art exhibitions are held, most often in the central courtyard. Visit Vidin to see the Castle and enjoy the warm welcome, as well as to try traditional Bulgarian cuisine.