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Vidin

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For the Romanian village, see Jupâneşti.
Vidin
Видин
Baba Vida Castle
Baba Vida Castle
Coat of arms of Vidin
Coat of arms
Location of Vidin Province in Bulgaria
Location of Vidin Province in Bulgaria
CountryBulgaria
Province
(Oblast)		Vidin
Government
 • MayorGergo Gergov
Area
 • City
63.218 km2 (24.409 sq mi)
Elevation
34 m (112 ft)
Population
 (Census February 2011)[1]
 • City
48,071
 • Density760/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
 • Urban
63,257
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code
3700
Area code094
WebsiteOfficial website

Vidin ( Template:Lang-bg, Template:Lang-ro, archaically spelled as Widdin in English) is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria. It is close to the borders with Serbia and Romania, and is also the administrative centre of Vidin Province, as well as of the Metropolitan of Vidin (since 870).

An agricultural and trade centre, Vidin has a fertile hinterland renowned for its wines.

Geography

Vidin is the westernmost important Bulgarian Danube port and is situated on one of the southernmost sections of the river. A ferryboat complex, linking Vidin with Calafat on the opposite side of the river, is located 2 km from the town. The complex is to be replaced by the Vidin-Calafat Bridge in spring 2012.

History

Vidin emerged at the place of an old Celtic settlement known as Dunonia. The name itself meant "fortified hill" with the typically Celtic dun found frequently in Celtic place names.[2] The settlement evolved into an Roman fortified town called Bononia. The town grew into one of the important centres of the province of Upper Moesia, encompassing the territory of modern northwestern Bulgaria and eastern Serbia.

When Slavs settled in the area, they called the town Badin or Bdin, where the modern name comes from.

The central streets of Vidin
Orthodox Cathedral of St Dimitar (St Dimitrius)

Vidin's main landmark, the Baba Vida fortress, was built in the period from the 10th to the 14th century. In the Middle Ages Vidin used to be an important Bulgarian city, a bishop seat and capital of a large province. Between 971 and 976 the town was the center of Samuil's possessions while his brothers ruled to the south. In 1003 Vidin was seized by Basil II after an eight-month siege because of the betrayal of the local bishop. Its importance once again rose during the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422) and its despots were influential figures in the Empire and were on several occasions chosen for Emperors. From the mid 13th century it was ruled by the Shishman family. In 1356, Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander isolated Vidin from the Bulgarian monarchy and appointed his son Ivan Stratsimir (1356–1396) as absolute ruler of Vidin's new city-state - the Tsardom of Vidin (Bdin / Badin).

Hungarian occupation of Vidin

Main article: Hungarian occupation of Vidin

In 1365, the Tsardom of Vidin was occupied by Magyar crusaders. Under Hungarian rule, the city became known as Bodony, but the occupation was short-lived. In 1369, a united Slavic Bulgarian empire drove out the Hungarian military, but in 1393 the whole of Bulgaria, along with the rest of the surrounding region, fell to the Ottoman Empire. This brought an end to Bulgaria's medieval state empire.

The Ottomans

See also: Widdin Eyalet

The Ottomans went on to conquer the despotates of Dobrudzha, Prilep and Velbazhd as well. Vidin's independence did not last long. In 1430 the Ottomans invaded and turned Vidin into a sanjdak.

In the late years of Ottoman rule, Vidin was the centre of Turkish rebel Osman Pazvantoğlu's breakaway state.

Modern rule

During the Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885), the town was besieged by a Serbian army. Although vastly outnumbered, the Bulgarians were victorious.


Climate

Vidin has a temperature continental climate. In the winter months, Inversions are very common. The average annual temperature is 11,2C.

Climate data for Vidin, Bulgaria(1931-1970), records 1926-1970
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.5
(65.3) 		21.5
(70.7) 		28
(82) 		32
(90) 		36.5
(97.7) 		38.8
(101.8) 		40.8
(105.4) 		41
(106) 		40.5
(104.9) 		32
(90) 		26
(79) 		20.2
(68.4) 		41
(106)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.2
(34.2) 		4.6
(40.3) 		10.4
(50.7) 		18.3
(64.9) 		23.7
(74.7) 		27.5
(81.5) 		30.1
(86.2) 		29.8
(85.6) 		25.4
(77.7) 		17.9
(64.2) 		9.8
(49.6) 		4
(39) 		16.9
(62.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.2
(28.0) 		0.4
(32.7) 		5.1
(41.2) 		12.1
(53.8) 		17.2
(63.0) 		20.7
(69.3) 		22.9
(73.2) 		22
(72) 		17.9
(64.2) 		11.6
(52.9) 		6
(43) 		0.7
(33.3) 		11.2
(52.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −6
(21) 		−3.7
(25.3) 		0.2
(32.4) 		5.9
(42.6) 		10.6
(51.1) 		14
(57) 		15.5
(59.9) 		14.5
(58.1) 		11
(52) 		6.1
(43.0) 		2.5
(36.5) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		5.7
(42.3)
Record low °C (°F) −32.5
(−26.5) 		−30.9
(−23.6) 		−26.6
(−15.9) 		−5.5
(22.1) 		−0.1
(31.8) 		5.1
(41.2) 		7.6
(45.7) 		5.5
(41.9) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		−5.5
(22.1) 		−13.6
(7.5) 		−24.5
(−12.1) 		−32.5
(−26.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 41
(1.6) 		37
(1.5) 		40
(1.6) 		51
(2.0) 		64
(2.5) 		69
(2.7) 		47
(1.9) 		38
(1.5) 		36
(1.4) 		49
(1.9) 		56
(2.2) 		53
(2.1) 		581
(22.9)
Source: Stringmeteo.com[3]

Population

Vidin is the 20th town by population in Bulgaria, but serious demographic problems have been experienced in the area during the last two decades. The number of the residents of the city reached its peak in the period 1988-1991 when exceeded 65,000.[4] As of February 2011, the town has a population of 47,138 inhabitants.[1] The following table presents the change of the population after 1887.

Vidin
Year 1887 1910 1934 1946 1956 1965 1975 1985 1992 2001 2005 2009 2011 2021
Population 14,772 16,450 18,465 18,481 23,932 36,981 53,179 62,541 62,666 57,395 52,558 49,471 48,071 ??
Highest number 68,164 in 1991
Sources: National Statistical Institute,[1][4][5] citypopulation.de,[6] pop-stat.mashke.org,[7] Bulgarian Academy of Sciences[8]

Ethnic, linguistic and religious composition

According to the latest 2011 census data, the individuals declared their ethnic identity were distributed as follows:[9][10]

  • Bulgarians: 40,550 (91.8%)
  • Gypsies: 3,335 (7.5%)
  • Turks: 60 (0.1%)
  • Others: 199 (0.4%)
  • Indefinable: 280 (0.6%)
    • Undeclared: 3,647 (7.6%)

Total: 48,071

There is a large concentration of Gypsies within the city limits as the Gypsies are 3,335 in the city and 3,753 in the municipality, while the Bulgarian elements are 40,550 in the city and 54,546 in the municipality.

Tourism

The Vidin Synagogue, deserted after Jewish immigration to Israel

Vidin boasts two well-preserved medieval fortresses, Baba Vida and Kaleto, as well as many old Orthodox churches such as St Pantaleimon, St Petka (both 17th century), and St Greatmartyr Dimitar (Dimitrius) (19th century), The Vidin Synagogue (1894), the Osman Pazvantoğlu mosque and library, the late 18th century Turkish ruler of northwestern Bulgaria, the Krastata Kazarma of 1798, and a number of old Renaissance buildings.

Another tourist attraction in the Vidin area is the town of Belogradchik, famous for its unique and impressive rock formations, the Belogradchik Rocks and the medieval Belogradchik Fortress and also the nearby Magura Cave with its beautiful prehistoric cave paintings.

Transportation

Danube Bridge II at Vidin

In Vidin is a Border-station to neighboring Romania via the Danube river. At the moment it is operated by ferryboats, crossing the river every 1/2 hour with only 5 trucks. Ticket price is EUR 50,-- per truck and EUR 12,-- per car. This border point is expected to increase its attraction with the Danube Bridge 2. It is under construction at the moment and shall start operation in 2013.

Landmarks

Close to the town lies a powerful mediumwave broadcasting station (since 1973) whose signals can be easily received throughout Europe. It works on 576 kHz and on 1224 kHz with a power of 500 kW each. For transmission on 576 kHz a 259 metres tall guyed mast equipped with a cage antenna at its lower part is used. The transmission of 576 kHz Radio Hristo Botev is put on hold for now, because of the world financial crisis and it is unknown when it will resume broadcasting. Powerful FM transmitter on 88.2 MHz provides good coverage for Hristo Botev radio. Only 1224 kHz Radio Bulgaria remains atm. For the transmission on 1224 kHz 4 guyed masts, insulated against ground, which are each equipped with a cage antenna are used, which allows a switchable directional pattern.

Honour

Vidin Heights on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Vidin.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Bulgaria

Twin towns — Sister cities

Vidin is twinned with:

Partner towns

References

  1. ^ a b c Template:Bg iconNational Statistical Institute - Main Towns Census 2011
  2. ^ Veyrenc, Charles Jacques (1981). Bulgaria Nagel's encyclopedia-guide (2 ed.). Nagel. p. 413. ISBN 978-2-8263-0560-6. In the 3rd century BC the Celts established on the site now occupied by Vidin a fortress to which they gave the name of Dunonia, "fortified hill"
  3. ^ [1], Stringmeteo.com Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Template:Bg iconNational Statistical Institute - Towns population 1956-1992
  5. ^ Template:En icon Bulgarian National Statistical Institute - Bulgarian towns in 2009
  6. ^ Template:En icon „WorldCityPopulation“
  7. ^ „pop-stat.mashke.org“
  8. ^ Template:Bg icon Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  9. ^ Template:Bg icon Population on 01.02.2011 by provinces, municipalities, settlements and age; National Statistical Institute
  10. ^ Population by province, municipality, settlement and ethnic identification, by 01.02.2011; Bulgarian National Statistical Institute Template:Bg icon
  11. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=334
  12. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=336
  13. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=337
  14. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=339
  15. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=340
  16. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=341
  17. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=342
  18. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=344
  19. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=345
  20. ^ http://www.vidin.bg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=346
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