Baba Vida Fortress

About

During the Roman era, a watch tower known as Bononia stood on the site. During the 10th century, the Bulgarians built the fortress that would be the center of Vidin, the last free capital of medieval Bulgaria. In the 17th century, the Ottomans expanded and improved the fortress, which was essentially left alone after they left. Today, visitors can wander the castle’s grounds at their leisure, past the octagonal founded in Roman times, through the medieval central keep and its annexes, and into the rooms overlooking the courtyard built during the Ottoman occupation. In the dungeon, a collection of torture instruments are on display, with some mannequins serving as visual aids.