Jewish Synagogue

The Vidin Synagogue, near Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin's Kaleto district, is an exceptionally significant architectural site of historical importance. Erected in 1894 with support from local Jews and the donor Hadzhi Nayden Kalachev, it is a cultural monument of national significance.
The town's original synagogue was destroyed during the War of Liberation of 1877–1878. The present building was constructed in one year and solemnly opened on 28 September 1894 by Dr Mordechai Grünwald, Bulgaria's chief rabbi. It is the second-largest after Sofia's synagogue and is considered more beautiful.
Following the mass emigration of Jews from Bulgaria to Israel in the late 1940s and restrictions on religious practice in the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the synagogue's use declined significantly. From 1950 it served as a warehouse, contributing to its deterioration. Major repairs began in the 1970s with the intention of turning it into a suitable venue for symphonic concerts.
In 2017 Shalom, the Organisation of Jews in Bulgaria, decided to donate the building to Vidin Municipality. In 2021 restoration began with European Union funding to transform it into a cultural centre. The project was completed in 2022.
The synagogue occupies a trapezoidal plot and has an entirely symmetrical plan, taking the form of a three-aisled, single-apse basilica with a narthex, galleries and four towers. Its colourful and varied interior combines ancient Jewish and classical architectural elements. The architecture is impressive, and the exterior is distinguished by a black building mass, side towers and an expressive central entrance with a semicircular arch and decorative details.