Pilot Site Visits in Bononia/Vidin, Bulgaria
The first stage started with a preliminary visit of the recent findings in Bononia/Vidin and the excavations in Sinagovtsi. The pilot site coordinator, National Tourism Cluster “Bulgarian Guide”, conducted an interview with the main archaeologist on spot Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zdravko Dimitrov from the National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, gave clear insights on the ongoing work progress and findings, adding essential information on the identification and further geo-morphological survey.
The second stage was aiming to introduce to the local stakeholders the project’s contribution to the definition of outstanding universal value of the Roman Danube Limes. The Municipality of Vidin and representatives of the local administration with tourism portfolio and museums were presented with the ambitions of the project and its outputs so far. The nomination of the Danube Limes sites in Bulgaria for entry into the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage as a group site, the potential of the activities at the pilot site to enhance historical-cultural tourism, completion of archaeological forms for the sites with relevant historical, archaeological and tourist information (these will create content for an App on all Roman Danube Limes sites), etc. were highlighted.
The third stage was a publicly announced event for visiting Bononia/Vidin, Rartiaria/Archar and Sinagovtsi, so the general audience could also have a chance to get acquainted with the project in person. All stakeholders were part of the dispute about the crucial role of Vidin in the project’s activities. The Director of the RHMV expressed their willingness to join the Danube Limes Museum Cluster. Local SMEs (from the hospitality industry) were emphasized on the tourism potential of the region of Vidin in connection to the Danube Limes.
All local stakeholders were fascinated by the project and especially by the future events related to the connecting cruise, as well as by the Museum Cluster, the LDL Application, and the Pilot Site VR reconstructions.
The article was developed within the project "Valorization of cultural heritage and promotion of sustainable tourism by reviving the common heritage of the Danube Limes as a basis for a cultural route", with the acronym Living Danube Limes, under the "Danube 2014-2020" Transnational Cooperation Programme.
National Tourism Cluster "Bulgarian Guide" is a key partner for Bulgaria in the project, responsible for the pilot region.
