Pirot Fortress

{{Short description|Fortress situated in Pirot, Serbia}}

{{Infobox Military Structure

|name=Pirot Fortress
Momchilov Grad

|location=Pirot
{{flagicon|Serbia}}Serbia

|coordinates=

|image=Тврђава Кале, град Пирот.jpg

|caption=Pirot Fortress

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|map_size=

|type=Fortification

|built=14th century

|builder=

|materials=Stone

|height=

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|open_to_public= Yes

| designations = {{Designation/divbox|Serbia|Cultural monument of Great Importance}}

}}

Pirot Fortress or Momchilov grad (Momchilo's fortress, Serbian and Bulgarian: Момчилов град) is situated in Pirot, Serbia. It was built in the 14th century by Bulgarian brigand and local ruler Momchil.Йоан Кантакузин категорично твърди: Момчил "...беше по потекло от мизите [българите]"{{Harvnb|Fine|1994|p=304}}; {{Harvnb|Soulis|1984|p=24}} In 1344, the regency concluded a further alliance with Bulgaria, which required the surrender of Philippopolis (Plovdiv) and nine other towns in northern Thrace along the river Evros. Nevertheless, after their occupation, Ivan Alexander refrained from direct action against John VI Kantakouzenos' forces operating in southern and eastern Thrace.{{Harvnb|Fine|1994|pp=304, 307}}; {{Harvnb|Soulis|1984|p=24}} At the same time, Momchil, a former brigand whom Kantakouzenos had entrusted with control over the Merope (region) in the Rhodope mountains, switched over to the regency. It was supposed to serve as a defense against the Turks along the ancient Roman road called Via Militaris (Military Road) which connected Belgrade to Constantinople.

Pirot Fortress was declared Monument of Culture of Great Importance in 1979, and it is protected by Republic of Serbia.[http://spomenicikulture.mi.sanu.ac.rs/spomenik.php?id=784 Pirotski grad]