# Baba Vida castle

- **Country:** Bulgaria
- **Coordinates:** 43.993056, 22.886667
- **Notes:** Baba Vida is a medieval castle in Vidin to the north-west of Bulgaria. It consists of two concentric curtain walls and about nine towers of which three are preserved to their full medieval height, including the original battlements. Baba Vida is situated at an altitude of 39 m. The castle was among Bulgaria's most important strongholds in the Middle Ages and served as a capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and the Tsardom of Bdin (Vidin) before it was seized by the Ottoman Turks in 1422.

Baba Vida is a medieval fortress located in the northwestern Bulgarian city of Vidin, standing as the country's only entirely preserved medieval castle. Situated on the site of the ancient Roman castell Bononia, its initial construction began in the 10th century. The structure features two concentric curtain walls and originally included nine towers, three of which remain intact with their original battlements. The castle's name and origin are tied to a local legend concerning Vida, the eldest daughter of a Danubian Bulgarian king who ruled the region. Unlike her sisters who married warlike nobles, Vida remained unmarried and built this stronghold to protect her domain, earning the title Granny Vida.

Historically, Baba Vida served as the primary citadel for northwestern Bulgaria and witnessed significant military conflicts throughout the Middle Ages. It famously withstood an eight-month siege by Byzantine forces under Emperor Basil II and was later expanded by Tsar Ivan Stratsimir, who made it his capital between 1356 and 1396. The fortress also endured attacks from Hungarian forces before eventually falling under Ottoman control in the late 14th century. During the subsequent centuries of Ottoman rule, the site ceased to function as a defensive installation and was repurposed as a weapon warehouse, a prison, and a residence for local leaders.

In the modern era, Baba Vida has been transformed into a museum and stands as the primary landmark of Vidin. Although it has not served military purposes since the end of the 18th century, the castle is actively maintained and kept in good repair to preserve its historical integrity. Today, it operates as a popular tourist attraction, allowing visitors to explore its well-preserved towers and learn about the rich history of the region through its exhibits. Its survival in such complete condition makes it a unique architectural treasure within Bulgaria.

![Photo of Baba Vida castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%82%D0%B0_%D0%91%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B0_%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B0.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_Vida (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)