Pirot Fortress / Momchilovgrad

The Pirot fortress or Momchilgrad dates back to the Middle Ages - it was built in the 14th century by the Bulgarian ruler Momchil. Legend tells that in his youth Momchil voivoda was engaged in burglary, but later he began to protect the weak and to pursue an independent policy in the complex situation in the Balkans at that time. He has been subsequently a Byzantine stratio, serving under the Serbian King Stefan Dusan, and later became a ruler of Meropa. (Rhodope Mountains). Momchil died in a fierce battle against the Ottoman Turks, but his feat remained in the people's memory for centuries.