The age of settlements in the Pirot region and the town of Pirot itself dates back to the distant past, with most of today's villages existing for more than five centuries, as confirmed by old Ottoman censuses. Life in Pirot and its surroundings was shaped for centuries by the famous Constantinople Road, which brought trade, but also great dangers from passing armies. To keep the roads and bridges secure, the Ottoman authorities often granted the local population special tax privileges. During wars and epidemics, the inhabitants withdrew from the Pirot plain into the nearby mountains, where they created hidden settlements. Thanks to this resilience and the protection of the mountains, Pirot and its villages managed to survive all historical trials and preserve their identity to this day.

SOURCES:

Ćirić JV. Geo ...