Vidin Видин
Baba Vida Castle
Coat of arms
Location of Vidin Province in Bulgaria
Vidin Location of Vidin
Coordinates: 43°59′N 22°52′E / 43.983°N 22.867°E / 43.983; 22.867Coordinates: 43°59′N 22°52′E / 43.983°N 22.867°E / 43.983; 22.867
Country	Bulgaria
Province (Oblast)	Vidin
Government
• Mayor	Gergo Gergov
Elevation	34 m (112 ft)
Population (Census February 2011)[1]
• City	47,138
• Urban	61,893
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal Code	3700
Area code(s)	094

Vidin (Bulgarian: Видин, 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). As of February 2011, the town has a population of 47,138 inhabitants.^[1]

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

Geography[link]

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 probably in the year 2012.

Climate[link]

Population[link]

Vidin is the 19th 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.^[3] The following table presents the change of the population after the liberation of the country in 1878.

There are also some Vlachs (Romanians) who live in Vidin and to the north of it.

History[link]

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.^[8] 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 (1185–1396) 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[link]

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[link]

The Ottomans went on to conquer the despotates of Dobrudzha, Prilep and Velbazhd as well. Vidin's independence did not last long. In 1396, Stratsimir contributed soldiers to assist the Slavic nations' bid to overturn the Ottoman Empire. Following defeat at the hands of the Ottomans outside the city of Nicopolis, Vidin finally fell under the sphere of the Ottomans, led by Bayezid I, as a punishment for their role in the hostilities.

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

Modern rule[link]

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

Tourism[link]

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[link]

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[link]

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[link]

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

Gallery[link]

• 

  A view of the Danube from Baba Vida

• 

  Elegant fin de siècle house

• 

  "Konaka"-Museum in an 18th century building

• 

  Old building, previously used as a public bath

• 

  Osman Pazvantoğlu library

• 

  The art gallery

• 
• 

  Stambol Kapiya

International relations[link]

Twin towns — Sister cities[link]

Vidin is twinned with:

• Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary ^[9]
• West Carrollton, Ohio, USA ^[10]
• Zaječar, Serbia ^[11]
• Rivne, Ukraine ^[12]
• Demre, Turkey ^[13]
• Calafat, Romania ^[14]

Partner towns[link]

• Deggendorf, Germany ^[15]
• Lecco, Italy ^[16]
• Ulm, Germany ^[17]
• Debar, Macedonia ^[18]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vidin

• The Information Web Portal of Vidin
• Pictures Of Baba Vida
• Old Pictures From Vidin
• Official website
• Vidin info
• Vidin article at Pictures of Bulgaria
• Vidin photo gallery
• All About Vidin
• Pictures of Vidin Broadcasting Station

v t e Cities and towns of Bulgaria 1,000,000+ Sofia (capital) 300,000+ Plovdiv Varna 100,000+ Burgas Pleven Ruse Stara Zagora 50,000+ Asenovgrad Blagoevgrad Dobrich Gabrovo Haskovo Pazardzhik Pernik Sliven Shumen Veliko Tarnovo Vratsa Yambol 20,000+ Aytos Botevgrad Dimitrovgrad Dupnitsa Gorna Oryahovitsa Karlovo Kardzhali Kazanlak Kyustendil Lom Lovech Montana Nova Zagora Petrich Razgrad Samokov Sandanski Sevlievo Silistra Smolyan Svishtov Targovishte Troyan Velingrad Vidin 10,000+ Balchik Bankya Bansko Berkovitsa Byala, Rousse Province Byala Slatina Cherven Bryag Chirpan Elhovo Etropole Gotse Delchev Harmanli Ihtiman Isperih Karnobat Kavarna Knezha Kostinbrod Kozloduy Kubrat Levski Mezdra Momchilgrad Nesebar Novi Iskar Novi Pazar Panagyurishte Parvomay Pavlikeni Peshtera Pomorie Popovo Provadiya Radnevo Radomir Rakovski Razlog Stamboliyski Svilengrad Teteven 5,000+ Aksakovo Ardino Belene Belogradchik Beloslav Bobov Dol Chepelare Dalgopol Devin Devnya Dolni Chiflik Dragoman Dryanovo Dulovo Dzhebel Elena Elin Pelin Galabovo General Toshevo Hisarya Kameno Koynare Kostenets Kotel Krichim Krumovgrad Kuklen Lukovit Lyubimets Lyaskovets Madan Nedelino Omurtag Oryahovo Perushtitsa Pirdop Polski Trumbesh Rakitovo Saedinenie Septemvri Simeonovgrad Simitli Slivnitsa Sopot Sredets Straldzha Strazhitsa Suvorovo Svoge Tervel Topolovgrad Tryavna Tsarevo Tutrakan Tvarditsa Varshets Vetovo Veliki Preslav Yakoruda Zlatitsa Zlatograd Under 5,000 Ahtopol Alfatar Antonovo Apriltsi Balgarovo Batak Batanovtsi Belitsa Belovo Boboshevo Bolyarovo Borovo Boychinovtsi Bozhurishte Bratsigovo Bregovo Breznik Brusartsi Byala, Varna Province Byala Cherkva Chiprovtsi Debelets Dimovo Dobrinishte Dolna Banya Dolna Mitropoliya Dolna Oryahovitsa Dolni Dubnik Dospat Dunavtsi Dve Mogili Glavinitsa Glodzhevo Godech Gramada Gulyantsi Gurkovo Hadzhidimovo Iskar Ivaylovgrad Kableshkovo Kalofer Kaolinovo Kaspichan Kermen Kilifarevo Kiten Klisura Kocherinovo Koprivshtitsa Kostandovo Kresna Krivodol Kula Laki Letnitsa Loznitsa Madzharovo Maglizh Malko Turnovo Marten Melnik Merichleri Miziya Momin Prohod Nikolaevo Nikopol Obzor Opaka Pavel Banya Plachkovtsi Pliska Pordim Pravets Primorsko Rila Roman Rudozem Sadovo Sapareva Banya Sarnitsa Senovo Shabla Shipka Shivachevo Slavyanovo Slivo Pole Smyadovo Sozopol Strelcha Suhindol Sungurlare Sveti Vlas Tran Trastenik Tsar Kaloyan Ugarchin Vetren Valchedram Valchi Dol Varbitsa Yablanitsa Zavet Zemen Zlataritsa

v t e Municipality of Vidin Capital: Vidin Villages Akatsievo Antimovo Bela Rada Botevo Bukovets Voynitsa Vartop Gaytantsi General Marinovo Gomotartsi Gradets Dinkovitsa Dolni Boshnyak Drujba Dunavtsi Jeglitsa Ivanovtsi Inovo Kalenik Kapitanovtsi Koshava Kutovo Mayor Uzunovo Novoseltsi Peshakovo Plakuder Pokrayna Ruptsi Sinagovtsi Slana bara Slanotrun Turnyane Tsar Simeonovo Landmarks Culture Notable people

v t e The Danube Countries Germany Austria Slovakia Hungary Croatia Serbia Bulgaria Romania Moldova Ukraine Cities Ulm Ingolstadt Regensburg Passau Linz Krems Vienna Bratislava Győr Budapest Dunaújváros Novi Sad Belgrade Pančevo Smederevo Drobeta-Turnu Severin Vidin Giurgiu Ruse Brăila Galați Izmail Tulcea Tributaries Iller Lech Regen Isar Inn Morava Váh Hron Ipeľ Drava Tisza/Tisa Sava Timiș/Tamiš Great Morava Timok Jiu Iskar Olt Osam Yantra Vedea Argeș Ialomița Siret Prut Islands Ada Kaleh (currently submerged) Balta Ialomiţei Belene Island Csepel Island Donauinsel Great Brăila Island Great War Island Island of Vukovar Island of Šarengrad Kozloduy Island Margaret Island Ostrovul Ciocăneşti Ostrovul Mare, Islaz Ostrvo (Kostolac) Vardim Island Žitný ostrov List of crossings

Salon is a progressive online magazine, with content updated each weekday. Part of Salon Media Group (OTCBB: SLNM), it was launched in 1995. It was founded by David Talbot, who first served as CEO of Salon Media Group from 1995 to 1999, and serves as its current CEO.^[1] It focuses on U.S. politics and current affairs, and on reviews and articles about music, books and films.^[2][3][4]

Salon's headquarters is located west of downtown San Francisco, California. As of November 2010, its editor-in-chief is Kerry Lauerman. His predecessor Joan Walsh stepped down from that position in November 2010 but remained as editor at large.^[5]

Content and coverage[link]

Salon magazine covers a variety of topics. It has reviews and articles about music, books, and films. It also has articles about "modern life", including relationships, friendships and human sexual behavior. It covers technology, with a particular focus on the free software/open source movement.

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Salon was founded by David Talbot^[9] and was first published in 1995. It purchased the virtual community The WELL in April 1999, and made its initial public offering of Salon.com on the NASDAQ stock exchange on June 22 of that year.

Salon Premium, a pay-to-view (online) content subscription was introduced on April 25, 2001. The service signed over 130,000 subscribers and staved off discontinuation of services. However, less than two years later, in November 2002, the company announced it had accumulated cash and non-cash losses of $80 million, and by February 2003 it was having difficulty paying its rent, and made an appeal for donations to keep the company running.

On October 9, 2003, Michael O'Donnell, the chief executive and president of Salon Media Group, said he was leaving the company after seven years because it was "time for a change." When he left, Salon.com had accrued $83.6 million in losses since its inception, and its stock traded for 5¢ on the OTC Bulletin Board. David Talbot, Salon's chairman and editor-in-chief at the time, became the new chief executive. Elizabeth "Betsy" Hambrecht, then Salon's chief financial officer, became the president.

In July 2008, Salon launched Open Salon, a "social content site" and "curated blog network".^[10] It was nominated for a 2009 National Magazine Award.^[11] in the category "best interactive feature."

On June 10, 2011, Salon closed its online chat board Table Talk. While there was heartfelt sentiment from the board's first manager about Table Talk closing, Salon.com has not yet given an official reason why they ended this section of their site.^[12]

Business model and operations[link]

Aspects of the Salon.com site offerings, ordered by advancing date:

• Free content, around 15 new articles posted per-day, revenues wholly derived from in-page advertisements.
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• Salon Premium subscription. Approximately 20% of new content made available to subscribers only. Other subscription benefits included free magazines and ad-free viewing. Larger, more conspicuous ad units introduced for non-subscribers.
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• After Salon Premium subscriptions declined from about 100,000 to 10,000 it was rebranded in 2011 as Salon Core subscriptions featuring a different mix of benefits.^[7]

References[link]

External links[link]

	San Francisco Bay Area portal
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• Salon website
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