Pirot is a city in southeastern Serbia located on an important trade route. It has a rich history dating back to Roman times and was an important Turkish town in later centuries. The city has a temperate climate and is surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes, and over 70 villages. While agriculture and industry remain important to the local economy, Pirot also promotes its cultural heritage and natural attractions to tourists, such as its medieval fortress, traditional architecture, and opportunities for hiking in Stara Planina National Park.

2. Geography
Pirot is a city in southeastern Serbia with a rich cultural tradition,
inheritance and turbulent past. It is located on the international
transfer station "Corridor 10", which connects Europe with Asia,
known in the Middle Ages as Via militaris.
In the geomorphological sense, it consists of the Pirot valley and a
mountainous area with many valleys and terraces. The city itself is
located in a low plain - so called Pirot field, which is part of the
valley of the river Nisava.
The city has a rich geographical features, including the mountains
of Stara Planina, Vlaška Planina, Belava, Suva Planina; rivers which
flow through the town, including Nišava, Jerma, Rasnička Reka,
Temštica and the Visočica; and four lakes, the Zavoj Lake,
Berovačko Lake, Krupac Lake and Sukovo Lake.

3. History
City of Pirot was built on the site of the Roman fortress Tures,
which was located in the border zone between Thrace and
Moesia. According to archeological findings, the beginning of
the development of the settlement dates back to the 2nd
century AD. The existence of a Roman fortification on the road
between today's Niš (lat. Naissus) and Sofia (lat. Serdica) was
confirmed in ancient itineraries from the 3rd century, where it
is mentioned that Tures was located 43-46 miles away from
Nais.
The settlement was most likely destroyed during the 5th
century during the Hun invasion. It is assumed that the
settlement was rebuilt in the time of Roman emperor
Justinian.
In the 14th century it is mentioned as Pirot. In the 16th and
17th centuries, it was a beautiful and rich Turkish town.

4. Climate and settlements
• The climate of Pirot is temperate, the springs are
pleasant, the summers are warm, and the winters
are mostly cold. Pirot, together with its
surroundings and the city of Niš, is one of the driest
cities in Serbia. Aside from the city of Pirot itself,
the city territory covers over 70 settlements.

5. According to the 2011 census, there were 57,928 inhabitants
in the city with the surrounding settlements, while in the city
itself there were 38,785 inhabitants, which is almost 9,000
less than in the previous census. The whole area is subject to
migration, and not only of the young population, but also of
the population over 50 years of age. Most are Serbs, 91.89%,
followed by Roma 4.45%, Bulgarians 0.95%, others 2.61%.
Demography

6. In economic terms, aside from the developed agriculture, there are several large industrial centers
operating in the region. One of the largest giants of the SFRY, the Tigar factory, continues to operate under
foreign management (Tigar Michelin). In addition to the textile company Prvi Maj, there are also large
companies like D Company and textile firm Miroglio. Pirot also has one of 14 free economic zones
established in Serbia.
Economy

7. Heritage
Pirot is the place of a rich cultural and historical heritage. At the
entrance to the city, the medieval fortress Momčilov grad stands out,
which has been almost completely renovated. The city is dominated by
the Museum of Ponišavlje Pirot, the best preserved monument of
traditional architecture from the middle of the XIX century in Pirot. Due
to its beauty and architectural characteristics it belongs to the cultural
heritage of the Balkans. There is also the Monument to fallen soldiers
during the Serbian-Ottoman War. Of the several churches, the most
important is the Pazar Church or the Church of the Nativity of Christ.
There are many churches and monasteries you can visit. The most
famous are the monastery of St. George in the village of Temska and
the monastery of St. John the Theologian near Poganovo.

8. Tourist
attractions and
notable places
Tourist potentials are great, but
insufficiently used. In the city, in
addition to the City Baths, outdoor
and indoor swimming pools, there is
an important quay by the Nišava
River, one of the most beautiful
promenades in Serbia. In the
immediate vicinity of Pirot are
Zavojsko Lake, Vrelo and Zvonačka
Banja. A little further from Pirot is
Stara planina (litr. Old Mountain),
part of the Balkan mountain massif,
with numerous natural beauties.

9. The most famous are the waterfalls
on the Dojkinačka (Tupavica) and
Toplodolska rivers. Well known is
also the village of Gostuša, an Stara
Planina´s village characterized by
archaic architecture and the
preservation of old customs and
culture, which is why it is also
called "Stone Village".
Stone Village

10. At a greater distance from the city, the Mountain Lodge and the city ski resort
are important, as one tourist complex. They are located 12 km from the city, at
the entrance to the Stara Planina Nature Park, at an altitude of 1080 meters.
Popular tourist locations are the Poganovo picnic area near the village of the
same name in the municipality of Dimitrovgrad, then the Sukovo monastery
near the village of Sukovo, as well as the Krivi vir picnic area near the village of
Temska.
Sukovo monastery

11. Temštica canyon
The area is also known for
insufficiently explored canyons and
gorges. The least known and probably
the most beautiful is the canyon of
the river Visočica. The gorges of the
river Temštica, the river Rosomačka,
the river Gradišnička, the gorge of the
river Jerma and the gorge of Vladika's
Plates are also of exceptional beauty.

12. The karst area of ​​Pirot is also known
for its caves, primarily for the
exceptional Velika pećina near the
village of Držine, then for the caves
of Vladika's Plates and Vetrena
Hollow, which are poorly accessible.
Velika pećina

13. By a decree from 1997, Stara
planina mountain was placed under
protection and declared a National
park. As such, it is classified in the
first category under state
protection. The whole area of ​​the
Natonal park is characterized by a
large number of plant and animal
species, especially those that are
endemic, which is why they make
this area specific and so interesting
from the aspect of tourism.

14. Numerous cultural events are held in Pirot, the largest of
which is the "Pirot Cultural Summer". The annual
manifestation "Fair of Pirot ironed sausage" is also
important, during which so called ironed sausages are
sold, a specialty of this region as well as other specialties
mainly based on barbecue, as well as the famous Pirot
cheeses for which Pirot is known outside Serbia. The Pirot
region is also known for folk handicrafts, the most famous
of which is the Pirot carpet.