Museum of Ponišavlje in Pirot | Museums of Serbia

The Museum of Ponišavlje is located in Pirot, preserving the memory of the rich tradition and cultural heritage of this region.

It is the best-preserved cultural monument that originated in the mid-19th century. This cultural institution is housed in the house of little Rista, as he was called by his contemporaries, and it is a treasury of rare objects from the past.

The permanent exhibition of the Museum of Ponišavlje consists of several collections: Archaeological, Ethnological, Historical, and Collection of Art History.

The Archaeological collection presents the development of society from the moments when people started engaging in agriculture and domesticating animals.

The Ethnological collection is one of the oldest museum collections, and among the first objects in the Museum, there was the so-called "kalemaan". Pottery, weaving, traditional costumes, and the widely renowned carpet-weaving are displayed in the ethnographic section.

Since its establishment, the Museum has also had a Historical collection, and the first recorded objects in this collection were a Turkish yataghan, a Russian grenade sword, a double-barreled pistol, and others.

The Collection of Art History represents the youngest museum department. Although modest, this department is heterogeneous and contains several sections.

The permanent exhibition contains authentic objects, with the flag of the singing society "Momčilo" from Pirot standing out. One of the most valuable museum exhibits is the military bread container ("tain") that served as an amulet to Alekse Zdravković from Pirot during the Balkan Wars and World War I. The exhibit can only be seen occasionally at exhibitions.

On the ground floor, wooden and metal household objects and Pirot pottery are displayed, while the first floor showcases furniture that belonged to the Hristić family and other prominent Pirot families of that time. Parts of jewelry and clothing from the Pirot region and its surroundings are exhibited in showcases.

A special place in the Museum is reserved for the Pirot carpet, with its various colors, ornaments, and patterns.

The museum collection contains several thousand objects kept in the storage, and among the artifacts, there are also rare books such as "rusalka", a chair called "krakalja" dating back to the early 19th century, home iconostases, and a viola carried by Ćira Rančić across Albania.

When you take a peek into this authentic 19th-century urban house, there are many untold stories. The resourceful Pirot merchant managed to outsmart the Turks and build a rare two-story house at the time. Thus, the house of the esteemed Pirot merchant Hrista Jovanović becomes one of the most magnificent in the Pirot region. The opulent facade, roof, and harmonious arrangement of interior rooms characterize the Balkan-Oriental style. The house consists of a basement, ground floor, and first floor. It is protected by the state and represents a monument of exceptional cultural significance.

The Museum of Ponišavlje in Pirot is open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.