Vidin District

District Vidin with municipalities Vidin, Belogradchik, Boynitsa, Bregovo, Gramada, Dimovo, Kula, Makresh, Novo selo, Ruzhintsi and Chuprene. Region has 84.865 435.000 inhabitants.

Statistic data: population

Municipality	Area (км²)	No of settlements	Population (2018)	Population density
Belogradchik	410.67	18	5 575	16.45
Boynitsa	187.36	8	936	7.02
Bregovo	179.22	10	4 498	31.98
Vidin	512.93	34	53 764	128.14
Gramada	184.21	8	1 742	10.83
Dimovo	402.49	23	5 596	16.4
Kula	279.37	9	3 654	15.94
Makresh	228.79	7	1 277	6.72
Novo selo	109.48	5	2 500	28.41
Ruzhintsi	232.55	10	3 608	18.03
Chuprene	327.31	8	1 715	6.2

Land use and nature protection

Territory of North-western Bulgaria is taken as less developed region in the grip of an economic and demographic depression not only in Bulgaria but in EU.

Arable land occupies more 61,57% of the whole territory. Forests cover more 22 % of the total area.

Protected areas

“Chuprene” Biosphere Reserve

It was established in 1973 and comprises area of 1439.2 hа. It is situated in Chiprovska Mountain, close to village of Chuprene. It was established with the purpose of protection of century old spur forests and extremely abundant fauna (birds, amphibians, small and large mammals). Chuprene is one of our representative reserves which is highly appreciated by UNESCO experts.

In the region of Northwestern Bulgaria, nature landmarks enter into the groups of rock formations and caves:

“Magura” cave – it is located southwest of town of Vidin, close to Rabisha village. It was declared a nature landmark in 1960, when was laid out and made accessible to thousands of nature lovers.
“Venetsa” cave – declared in 1971 with an area of 1 hа in the land of village of Oreshets station, Dimovo municipality, Vidin region.
“White water” waterfall – declared in 1976 with an area of 1 hа in the land of village Stakevtsi, Belogradchik municipality.
“Levi and desni suhi Pech” caves– declared in 1976 with an area of 0.2 hа in the land of village of Dolni Lom, Chuprene municipality.
Belogradchik rocks – located around town of Belogradchik. Declared nature landmark in 1949, with an area of around 200 hа.

Economy

Territory of the region is taken as less developed region in European Union in the grip of an economic and demographic depression. The unemployment rate is about 18.8% in Vidin District, (source: Statistical office of Republic of Bulgaria).

Transportation

Overview

Through the territory of the region is passing European transport corridor № 4, and along its northern boundary is Danube River – transport corridor № 7. Transport corridor № 4 has no good facilities and technical parameters in the regions territory. Efforts are needed to improve its status because of the new bridge over the Danube river at Vidin.

Train services

International connections

There are two international train connections from the region to the neighbouring countries. International train connections from Sofia to Bucuresti and from Sofia to Budapesta.

Currently, the unsatisfactory state of the railway stations, the low speeds of the trains and the poor condition of the rolling stock are the main reason for the outflow of passengers from the rail transport. In this context it is important to encourage and make the rail transport in the region more attractive to protect the environment and limit pollution caused by the road transport.

Bus services

International connections

There are no bus connection between North-western Bulgaria and Western Europe.

Regional connections

The region is served by a number of regional buses that are operated by three operators. Several times a day there is connection between Vidin and Sofia and the buses pass Montana and Vratsa districts too.

Tourism

Northwestern region has a remarkable cultural potential as area-gate of the country (external border of the country with Romania and Republic of Serbia. The region has registered more than 3000 pcs. real cultural values with historical and cultural testimonies of the ancient times – with cultural values since the Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the New time, of the new and the most recent history, with remarkable relations with Central and Western Europe and the countries along the Danube river during the different historical periods. Unfortunately, there is no specific tourist offer to be localized in one place and to represent the whole region as one tourist destination. Every municipality in the focus region have own tourism council, which basically is in charge for the development of promotion materials and tourism packages and offers in its municipality.

Main tourist hotspots in North-West Bulgaria are:

Municipality	Hotspot	Description
Vidin	Baba Vida fortress	One of the best preserved defense facilities in Bulgaria and a monument of culture of national significance. Its foundations were laid by the end of the 10th century A.D. on top of one of the towers of ancient Bononia. It acquired its known till the present day appearance in the 14th c. A.D., when it served as the domicile of the Vidin ruler King Ivan Sratsimir (1352-1396/97). The castle extends over an area of 9.5 dca including the defense moat.
Belogradchik	Belogradchik fortress, the rocks and Magura cave	The fortress was built among hard-of-access rock formations during the times when our territory formed part of the Roman Empire (3rd c.A.D.). It was used also during the Middle Ages and acquired its present appearance in the period 1805-1837. In recent years it is one of the most frequented and attractive sights in the country. It acts as a natural extention of one of the unique nature phenomena on the area of Belogradchik – the Belogradchik Rocks. The Belogradchik Rocks is a complex of rock formations, which stretches at 30 km length and 5 km width in the direction from the west to the east. Thanks to its prehistoric paintings, Magura cave is the most important and extended European post-Palaeolithic painted cave. In 1984 the site was placed on the Tentative List for consideration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Kula	Castra Martis fortress	A Roman castle built by the end of the 3rd c. A.D. and the early 4th c. A.D. It is situated in the centre of the city of Kula.

BROAD DESCRIPTION ON TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN VIDIN DISTRICT

VIDIN

Vidin is situated in the Vidin Lowland by the Danube River in the Northwestern part of Bulgaria. It is about 190 km northwest from Sofia and 52 km north of Belogradchik. Vidin is a border town with Romania – to the North and Serbia to the west.

Baba Vida Fortress (Babini Vidini Kuli)- is one of the most remarkable monuments of medieval architecture of residence and architectural character in Bulgaria right on the bank of the Danube river. The Baba Vida Castle was built upon the foundations of the ancient fortress of Bononia, upon the ruins of a Thracian settlement in the early 1 century AD. The original construction plan of the castle was not changed very much over the centuries. The Castle was built on an area of 9.5 acres, surrounded by a moat, 12 metre wide and 6 metre deep. The castle has got a nearly square shape, its angles pointing at the four geographical directions, each side about 70 metre long. The final extension of the castle was accomplished by King Ivan Sratsimir.

“Kaleto” is a system of fortifying equipment on the land and the Danube River.

“Krastata Kazarma”- the building was built in 1798 in the place of the old palace of the pasture under the guidance of polish specialists for the needs of the janissary of Osman Pazvantoglu.

The mosque and the library of Pazvantoglu- which are independent complex build by the independent ruler in 1800.

Vidin offers numerous amusements for its guests depending on their wishes. The art lovers can enjoy the expositions in the art gallery. If you like theatre you can visit the dramatic theatre in the town. Kids will also be happy to enjoy the junior puppet theatre. If you are visiting Vidin during the summer you will subordinately have the chance to enjoy the sun and beaches on the bank of the Danube River where Baba Vida castle is situated. During the summer there is an open stage in the fortress where different musicians, ballet dancers and folklore dancers are performing. If you prefer nosy and wild parties just visit some of the local discos. During the hot summer days we recommend the open air water centre that was recently established in the northern suburbs of the town. Trips on board of small ships along the Danube River are also organized upon demand.

BELOGRADCHIK

The town of Belogradchik is situated in the north-west part of Bulgaria, near the border of Serbia. The town is situated at a distance of about 170 km from Sofia.

The town gained global fame by being included in the vote for the new Seven Wonders of the World with it’s rocks. The Belogradchik Rocks are a natural phenomenon aged more than 200 million years. They cover a territory of 30 km length and about 6-7 km width. Due to its unusual forms, the rocks have various names.

The Belogradchik Fortress which had played an important role during the defense of the region for centuries is situated close to the town, in the region of the rocks.

The Astronomical Observatory of the Astronomy Institute of the Bulgarian Science Academy is situated at a distance of 100 meters from the Belogradchik Fortress. There are three telescopes in the observatory, by which the visitors can watch the night sky.

The historical museum of the town is situated in the Panova House in Belogradchik, which was constructed in 1810. The exposition presents the history, style of life and rituals in the region.

Another interesting landmark is the Art Gallery, in which more than 200 canvases are stored. Among them are works of art by Vladimir Dimitrov Maystora (1882 – 1960), Yoan Leviev (1934 – 1994), Bahit Bapishev, etc.

The only Natural Science Museum in north-west Bulgaria is situated in Belogradchik. The museum was opened in 1975 and presently stores more than 3000 exponents, which present the plant and animal diversity in the region.

The Magura Cave is situated at a distance of about 20 km from the town. Multiple rock drawings dating back to various periods have been found in the cave. A unique solar calendar with 366 days was found in the cave. The Magura is one of the largest caves in Bulgaria. Galleries with total length of 2500 meters had been found inside it. This is also one of the most visited caves in the country.

The Rabishko Lake is situated close to the Magura. This is the largest tectonic lake in Bulgaria. Its area is 3250 dca. After research, it was found that the lake is not drainable. According to a legend, a monster which wished to receive a beautiful local girl as a sacrifice was living here. The region around the lakes is suitable for camping.