Pirot and Its Surroundings
Pirot lies at the heart of the Balkans, halfway between Niš and Sofia, on the shortest route between Western Europe and the Middle East — the "gateway between East and West". Known for the Pirot kilim, Stara Planina mountain, and the Visočica Canyon.
Pirot lies at the very centre of the Balkans — halfway between Niš and Sofia, on the shortest overland route to Asia. The International Corridor 10, one of Europe's most important road axes, runs through this region: Pirot–Dimitrovgrad–Sofia–Istanbul (E-80).
The municipality of Pirot is bounded to the north by Stara Planina (peak Midžur, 2,169 m), to the south by the Vlaška Planina massif and Suva Planina. The ancient Roman road Via Militaris once passed through this territory. The city carries a rich historical legacy spanning from the Neolithic and classical antiquity to the present day.
Pirot is renowned for the Pirot kilim — the only Serbian product bearing an EU geographical indication. The Visočica River Canyon, Stara Planina, and the Poganovo Monastery make the region exceptionally attractive for ecotourism.