The Danube & Northern Plains - Romania and Bulgaria - page 922

Getting There & Away
From Vidin's public bus station (ul Zhelezhnicharska) there are buses to Belogradchik (5
lv, 1½ hours, two to three daily). Nearby is the private Alexiev Bus Station, from where
there are several daily buses to Sofia (20 lv, four hours) via Vratsa (10 lv). Buses also run
to Pleven (16 lv, four hours, one daily).
Fast trains travel to Sofia (13.80 lv, five hours, three daily) via Vratsa (8 lv, three
hours).
To/From Romania
Finally completed in late 2012, the long- anticipated bridge between Vidin and Calafat,
known as Danube Bridge 2, should be in full use from spring 2013. Meanwhile, the ferry
(foot passenger/car 6/46 lv, 15 minutes, daily) provides the only daily service to Romania.
The ferry terminal is 2km north of town; take a taxi (4 lv) from the train station's taxi
rank. The boats theoretically depart every two hours, but won't leave unless they're full.
Cherepish Monastery
Founded in the 14th century, Cherepish Monastery ( 0897312770; admission free;
guesthouse per person 20 lv) was, like Chiprovtsi Monastery, torched, toppled and rebuilt
repeatedly during the Ottoman period. Like many other monasteries, it was used by rebels
as a hiding place before and during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78).
The monastery's little museum displays icons and has Bulgarian-language books about
the monastery and local history. There's basic accommodation if you want to stay and
meals are available.
The poorly signposted monastery is 600m from the eponymous roadside restaurant on
the Mezdra-Zverino route. Buses from Sofia heading towards Mezdra, Vratsa, Montana
or Vidin pass the monastery; disembark at the Zverino turn-off and wait for a connecting
minibus, or walk west 6km. If driving from Sofia, the most aesthetically appealing ap-
proach is definitely the scenic if slower road through the stunning Iskâr Gorge, via Novi
Iskâr.