Krastata Kazarma

Krastata Kazarma is a cross-shaped building with two floors displaying classical military architecture from the early nineteenth century. The building now houses a museum featuring ethnographic collections and historical rooms that illustrate its military past and the region's cultural heritage.

Built in 1801 by Polish architects, the structure served the Ottoman Empire as a military facility housing four military units, including a Janissary division. After its military role ended, it was later converted into a courthouse before eventually becoming the museum it is today.

The museum displays ethnographic collections showing the traditions and daily life of people from the Vidin region across different periods. Visitors can explore old crafts, traditional clothing, and household objects that reveal how locals lived in past centuries.

The museum maintains regular visiting hours and provides guided tours in multiple languages upon request. It is conveniently located in central Vidin and easy to reach on foot, allowing visitors to explore all exhibition rooms at a comfortable pace.

The building features an unusual cross shape that allowed military commanders to keep multiple units separate while maintaining central control over all sections. This clever design concept was a practical solution for military architecture of its time.