Vidin, Bulgaria: Stambol Kapia

Once upon a time, Vidin had a large fortress protecting it. There were nine gates used for entrance, and certainly the city's geographic location along the Danube could prove helpful during combat situations.

Much of the building is gone, but some still remains ... and this gate is still doing its job. It is located right in the middle of the town, and is well-preserved. A great deal of Vidin's charm was lost to the Communists and their building program, but this stands out rather nicely.