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WELCOME

     Pirot is situated almost in the centre of the Balkans, on the half way Nis-Sofia, in the middle of the Panonian plane in Podunavlje and the Tracka plane at the mere European border, on the shortest way to Asia .

     The municipality of Pirot has around 70.000 inhabitants and it encompasses the territory of 1.235 km2, and that makes it one of the largest municipality in Serbia. Pirot lies in the valley of the river Nisava, on the international highway to Near and Middle East.

     Pirot lies in the northwest part of the Pirot's valley (its length is 14 km, and its width is 3-9 km). The southern edge of the Pirot's valley is surrounded by the Vlaska mountain , and Suva planina is on the west. The valley narrows on the north and becomes a narrow valley of the river Nisava between Suva planina and Svrljiske planine.

HISTORY

     The first historical source where Pirot is menitioned as a city is Roman map from the 4 th century, known as Tabula Peutingeriana. The antique settlement at the place of today's Pirot was called Tures, which means “towers” in Latin. It served for monitoring and defending the main road in this part of the Empire. The travellers could spend the night in Tures, refresh, change the horses or coach. From the 5 th to the 14 th century Tures is not mention anywhere, so this period remained unclear, and there is a question whether it existed at all at that time. After the 14 th century there are some documents of the existence of Pirot, by the name Pirgos. The Latin name was changed by the Greek name with the same meaning (tower) and that was a common practice at the time of the penetration of Greek culture in these parts. So, from the Greek word Pirgos, a Serbian name Pirot was formed. Pirot was conquered by the armies whose uniforms were of different colours, starting with Roman legions… All the conquerors took away everything that could have been taken, but they left the traces of their cultures, customs, habits...

In the 12 th century Pirot was a part of Stefan Nemanja's state, which the monasteries in its surroundings confirm. It was liberated from the five hundred Turkish captivity in 1877.

THE PIROT KILIM

      The weaving techniques developed early in the large area of our country. It is certain that the Turks had a great influence on their further development because of their interest for the Pirot's rug. A special contribution to the development of the rug industry in Pirot had sheep raising because of the great quality wool.
      There is a difference between Pirot's and Persian rug. Pirot's rug is smooth on both sides and it has geometrical patterns with striking contrast of colors, with the prevailing red color.
      Pirot's rug became far and wide known and famous product because of its unique beauty.
      Pirot's rug is woven on the loom by women and it is woven in different colors and with different patterns. The rug patterns have specific names, such as: star, wreaths, bombs, bunch of grapes etc. The making of the rug is very hard; it is handmade on a vertical loom, so called Pirot's loom, in a sitting position.

Municipal Support Programme Eastern Serbia
An EU - funded project managed
by the European Agency for Reconstruction