The Synagogue and Kaleto in Vidin revived for tourists through the Danube Strategy support

Forty million euro projects are in the focus of the Danube countries 

Vidin’s once defensive stronghold of Kaleto and the Synagogue in the city will be included in travelling photo exhibition, aiming at the popularization of poorly known cultural and historical sites along the Danube. Architectural sights from Austria, Germany, Romania, Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia will also be a part of the exhibition. Together with these countries Bulgaria is a partner under the Danube cultural platform – creative places of the 21 century. The project is implemented under the Danube 2014-2020 Transnational Cooperation Programme with the support of the Danube Strategy, chaired by Bulgaria by October 2018. The project, whose overall budget is nearly BGN 3.3 mln, is expected to finish in June 2019. The Bulgarian historical monuments, part of the project – Kaleto and the Synagogue in Vidin, and cultural sights from the other countries will be included in a new touristic route along the river. 3D modelling of the monuments is envisaged to be constructed by the Ministry of Tourism.

The Synagogue in Vidin has not been used as a prayer home since 1950.  The 3D project will recreate the temple in its original glory.

Kaleto is the former urban stronghold for Vidin’s defense, stated as a monument of national importance. According to the historical facts the stronghold has never been breached during military operations.

The Danube cultural platform – creative places of the 21 century is among the nine strategic projects under the Danube Strategy, as in eight of them Bulgaria is a partner. The projects total up to over EUR 40 mln and aim to turn the region along the Danube River into an attractive center for innovations, investments and tourism. Investments are in the sphere of water transport, infrastructure, energetics, education and innovations. 

24 million euro is the largest one – FAIRway Danube, focused on the improvement of shipping and navigation on the Danube and its navigable tributaries.

The Danube stream, Danube port networks – Daphne and Dante projects are also important to improve the connectivity and economy of the Danube countries.

Again with a focus on tourism and culture is the photo contest, announced by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. The theme of the contest is “One river - dozens of heavenly sites”. Photos can be sent by June,15 via email to fotodanube@mrrb.government.bg, and there will be attractive awards for the participants. The best photos will be included in an exhibition, which will be opened by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Nikolay Nankov in Ruse. The event is a part of the program for celebrating June, 29 – International Danube Day.

Tourism as a generator of economic growth and the cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable development are a main priority of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Danube Strategy.  Special attention in the calendar is payed to the hosting of the Seventh Annual Forum of the Danube Strategy, which will be held in Sofia, in October. Three European commissioners and over 600 participants will be among the official guests. The next collaborative working meeting of the National Coordinators and Coordinators of Priority Areas, focused on discussions about the optimal opportunities for successful implementation of the macro-regional strategy, will take place in May, 25 in Sofia.