The Pirot kilim is one of the most recognisable symbols of Serbian folk art, with a production tradition going back to the 16th century. The vertical-loom weaving technique has been passed down from generation to generation, almost exclusively among the women weavers of Pirot and the surrounding Stara Planina villages.

This small format (60x120 cm) is typical for kitchen or decorative use. It is hand-woven by the weavers of Pirotska tkacnica using the double-sided weaving technique — meaning the kilim looks identical on both sides, a unique feature that distinguishes the Pirot kilim from other Balkan and Oriental rugs.

Only natural sheep wool is used, plant-dyed with traditional extracts — walnut bark for dark tones, blackberry leaf for greens, Sumadija grasses for yellows. The ornamentation combines from a catalogue of 122 officially documented motifs, each with a name and meaning: the kornjaca (turtle, symbol of longevity) and the bomba (fertility motif) predominate in this design.

The Pirot kilim has held Protected Geographical Indication status in Serbia since 2002, and in 2012 the craft of Pirot kilim weaving was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The kilim should be aired and beaten occasionally — never washed with water. With proper care it can last over 100 years.