KALEIDOSCOPE OF SERBIA

The Serbian tradition is rich in colorful symbols, and some of the most famous ones are found on Pirot kilim-rug.

The Pirot carpet is known in the world for its beauty and quality, the weaving technique, the raw material from which it is made and loomed, the stylized ornamentation, the richness of patterns and colors, durability. The peculiarity of the Pirot rug is that it has no reverse, is smooth and identical on both sides, which is achieved by firm weaving of the weft. They are woven in the technique of kneeling by making multicolored weft threads with patterns that are narrower than the entire width of the weave.

The Pirot carpet is protected by the geographical indication of origin (it is one of the few products from Serbia that is geographically protected and inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia.)

They have been made by hand for five centuries and the process is very slow. Making one rug is long and arduous - one woman working eight hours a day for a month can make only 80 square inches.

Pirot carpets used to be made of wool dyed with flowers and other herbs, which is becoming less common today. However, there is something that must not be changed in the weaving - that is, the way of weaving and the appearance of patterns and elements, as defined by the Study which contains the criteria for making Pirot rug and which weavers must adhere to. The Elaborate has officially collected 95 patterns and 122 elements.