What Pirotski okrug is known for

Pirot, nestled amidst Serbian mountains, is a town with considerable history and cultural tradition. Its roots trace back to ancient Roman times, and over the centuries, various cultures and influences have left their mark. The town is divided by the Nisava River into Pazar and Tijabara, connected by three bridges, including the "Bridge of Love." The Liberty Square in Pazar features modern amenities, while Tijabara provides small craft shops and historic facades. It is recommended to explore "The Museum of Ponisavlje" housed in the 19th-century home of Hristo Jovanovic, showcasing Pirot kilims and antiquities.[7]

In terms of Pirot District's historical heritage, the Poganovo Monastery, located in the landscapes of East Serbia, is a considerable Serbian medieval monastery and cultural landmark. Situated within the Jerma River Canyon, this remote area was almost inaccessible until the 19th century. The monastery, dedicated to Saint John the Theologian, stands in a natural habitat inhabited by griffin vultures. Founded in the late 14th century, the Poganovo Monastery has a rich history. The monastery's Church, with its one-nave structure and two side apses, follows the architectural patterns of the Morava school. It features frescoes created by masters from North Greece in 1499, depicting scenes of great feasts, Holy Fathers, the life of the Holy Virgin, Christ's Passion, and Serbian saints, among others. One notable artwork is the "twin icon," a double-sided icon gifted by Empress Jelena Dragas, now exhibited in Sofia, Bulgaria.[8]

People seeking outdoor attractions can travel to Stara Planina, which stretches over 550 kilometers, connecting Serbia and Bulgaria. This natural region features mountain pastures, villages, folklore, and forests with herbs and forest fruit. The highest peak, Midžor, stands at 2,169 meters above sea level. This mountain range offers a landscape with altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 1,900 meters, covering its slopes in snow for 5 months each year. For instance, a protected nature reserve of "Babin Zub" (Old Lady's Tooth) tends to be visited for its morphological features, including vertical cliffs and a distinctive tooth-like formation. Moreover, Zavojsko Lake, nestled at the mountain's base, is one of the clearest mountain lakes available for fishing, providing species such as pike, catfish, and carp. A considerable number of local mountain villages also uphold the local folklore and traditions, offering hospitality and organic specialties.[5]

Midžor, at 2,169 meters, stands as Serbia's highest peak, situated within the Stara Planina that naturally delineates the border between Serbia and Bulgaria. To embark on a journey to Midžor's zenith, the shortest and reportedly most accessible route initiates from the Babin Zub mountain hut, located at an altitude of 1,570 meters. This trail, taking approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to complete, provides views of the local nature of the Stara Planina. Access to Babin Zub is facilitated by a rugged but navigable road. From this starting point, a marked path leads northeast, traversing through Žarkova čuka, Prilepski Vrh, and Tupanar, all the while gaining elevation.[9]

Geography

The Pirot District stretches across approximately 2,761 square kilometers of land, with the administrative center and largest city, Pirot, being found in the central part of the region. The district's landscape is mountainous on most of its territory. Within its area, or rather its border with Bulgaria, can be found the highest Serbian mountain, Midžor, reaching an altitude of 2,169 meters above sea level. In the southwestern part of Pirotski Okrug lies the Ostrozub mountain range, while the western part of the territory is represented by the Šljivovik and Suva Planina mountains. As for its eastern division, the Vidlič mountain range encompasses much of this region. Furthermore, the Svrljig mountain range can be found to the north, and the northeast comprises the Stara Planina mountain range. Only the town of Pirot is located in the lowland valley of the river Nišava, which is the longest river passing through the district.[4]

As previously mentioned, the Stara Planina mountain range, spanning 550 kilometers and connecting Serbia and Bulgaria, covers the northeastern part of the Pirotski Okrug. This mountain range stretches from Zaječar in Serbia to the Black Sea. With its forests, expansive mountain pastures, and diverse landscapes, it can serve as a destination for nature enthusiasts. At altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 1,900 meters, Stara Planina experiences a 5-month snow cover each year. One of its peaks, called Babin Zub, is a protected nature reserve and skiing center. Beyond skiing, the mountains' cliffs—including one resembling an old tooth after which the mountain received its name—attract climbers as well. In general, Stara Planina was designated a Nature Park in 1997, protecting diverse flora and fauna, including subalpine beech forests and brown trout-filled rivers. Additionally, Stara Planina's villages preserve local folklore and traditions. The area offers opportunities for hiking, picnics, and recreation. Visitors can also try organic specialties and local brandy, along with "staroplaninsko jagnje" (lamb from Stara Planina) paired with locally made cheese.[5]

At the foothills of the Stara Planina mountain range lies Lake Zavoj, an artificial reservoir formed by the Visocica River. Situated between the Stara Planina mountains to the north and Vidlic to the south, it stands close to the Serbian-Bulgarian border. Originally created in 1963 due to a natural catastrophe that resulted in the formation of a natural dam, which eventually led to the construction of an artificial dam. The lake was named after the submerged village of Zavoj, located approximately 17 kilometers from Pirot. The lake's tributaries include the Visocica, Gostuska Reka, and Belska Reka rivers. Today, a significant portion of the lake's water is channeled through a tunnel to power the "Pirot" hydroelectric plant, generating electricity. Additionally, Lake Zavoj is a recreational destination for residents of Pirot and Nis. It provides various fish species, including white fish and brown trout in the Visocica and Belska Reka rivers, making it a spot for fishing enthusiasts and picnickers alike.[10]

Concerning the weather conditions in Pirot, tourists can expect the months of May, June, and September to have average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. August tends to be Pirot's warmest month, with an average maximum temperature of 27°C. On the other hand, January stands as the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 3°C. June ranks as the wettest month in Pirot, with a total rainfall of 99 millimeters. For those seeking drier weather, November is the driest month with 54 millimeters of precipitation.[6]

History

During the Roman era, the Pirot area was part of Moesia and later Upper Moesia. There, a Roman settlement of Turres which operated as a military residence existed in the 3rd century. In the Byzantine period, it became known as Quimedava and played a role in controlling and defending a major road in the empire. Travelers could find accommodations, refreshments, and transportation services there. However, the region faced persistent invasions by Gothic tribes in the 4th century and the Huns in the 5th century. In the early Byzantine era, Emperor Justinian I ordered the reconstruction of many fortresses in the region, including the towers of Pirot. The settlement of Quimedava, located on the southern slope of Sarlah Hill, was fortified with walls, forts, an early Christian basilica, public baths, a necropolis, and other features. Despite these defenses, successive barbarian invasions in the late 6th and early 7th centuries led to the settlement's decline as Slavic populations settled in the Balkans.[1]

Pirot, a city that developed in the late 14th century as a Serbian-Bulgarian border fortress, faced destruction before the Battle of Kosovo and never fully recovered its fortification status. During the 15th century, the Ottomans took control of Pirot but eventually abandoned the fortress. The town, however, developed further under Ottoman rule, with an alluvial plain replacing the Sarlaha hill as the town's location. Pirot also became a prominent trading center, attracting merchants from Dubrovnik. By the late 15th century, the city housed a hammam, caravanserai, inns, schools, shops, masjids, and mosques. Craftsmen in the 16th century were predominantly Muslim and engaged in various trades. Pirot was liberated by the Serbian army in December 1877 and officially annexed to the Principality of Serbia through the Congress of Berlin.[2]

Following the establishment of a new government in 1944, Pirot underwent an industrial expansion, witnessing the founding of several companies, such as Prvi Maj Pirot and the Tigar factory, gaining recognition across Yugoslavia. Pirot officially attained city status in 2016. Today, the city itself houses approximately 50,000 residents, along with the surrounding villages. Within the administrative district of Pirot, three additional municipalities are encompassed: Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad, and Babušnica. In total, this district spans 2,761 square kilometers and is home to around 92,000 inhabitants.[3]