Baba Vida is the only fully preserved medieval fortress in Bulgaria. It served both as military stronghold and feudal castle. The fortress is erected at the waterfront of the Danube, in the farthest north-western part of Bulgaria. Its foundations were built up on the remains of the roman citadel Bononia, which was destroyed by the Avarian invasions. The reconstructed by the Bulgarians Bdin Castle was an important stronghold of the First and Second Bulgarian Kingdom (10 - 14 century).
The castle’с original construction plan has changed very little through time. Its structure, uneven quadrangle shape was built over an area of 9.5 acres, surrounded by a moat, 12 metre wide and 6 metre deep. Inner walls are some 70 meters high, 2.2 metre thick and holding 9 defensive towers. Outer wall is not as tall and with only 2 towers.
The area enclosed by the inner wall is laid with closely arranged premises, which surround a small inner court yard. The castle can be entered only from the north, where the gate tower is situated. Originally, the fortress was accessible through a falling bridge across the moat filled with water from the Danube.In the modern reconstruction, the wooden bridge has been replaced with a stone one to ensure the safety of its visitors.
