Bulgaria; city of Vidin: Obelisk monument to honor Soviet army troops of World War II (1939 - 1945; detail); on Europe Square; background city of Vidin: Vidin (city: 48 000 inhabitants; municipality: 63 200 inhabitants) is the center of Northwestern Bulgaria an Episcopal seat. Located between kilometers 785 and 793 on the banks of Danube (measured from mouth of Danube in Sulina / Romania; where "Kilometer zero" is); it is a popular tourist place with outstanding attractions like Baba Vida fortress; Stambol gate; Place (or Square) of tolerance with Orthodox Cathedral and Mosque and many more building. Most popular is the car free Danube river park with promenade along Danube. While the whole area around Vidin had to suffer a severe decline of population after the political changes in the 1990s; today there is new hope: The 2013 opened Danube II Bridge; which connects with city of Calafat in Romania; has become the new symbol of the town. Vidin is a very sportive city with lots of clubs and training grounds; even a velodrom. Most attractive also for visitors is the new health path in Danube River Park. The place has a long history; dating back to stone and copper age. While Thracian tribes settled in the area; there is evidence of a very old Celtic settlement called Dunonia; meaning "fortified hill". Exactly on this place; Romans built their fortress Bononia in 1st century AD. The important fortress on Danube Limes prospered and had even a cavalry battalion in town; in 4th century. End of Roman Peace came with Avars and Slavic tribes; when fortresses ob Bononia and also nearby Ratiaria were destroyed around 586/587 AD. Slavic settlers called the town Badin or Bdin; before Bulgarians came in around 903 - 907AD; when battles are recorded with Hungarians. "Granny's dream" - a safe and prosperous city: Vidin / Badin resisted even an 8 months long siege of Byzantine Empire in 1003 AD; but was also opposed to Tsar Boris; in 1213; during 2nd Bulgarian Empire. Mid of 13th centur