Košice, the second largest city in Slovakia, is the administration centre of the Košice region and the metropolis of Eastern Slovakia at the same time.
The city is rich in its history, however, it has much to offer at present as well. Its geographic location in the middle of the Košice Valley was suitable for settlement already in the paleolithic period, which is proved by an archeological finding of a municipality in the present town district Barca. Later historical events in the given location confirm the significance of Košice, where important trade roads of this part of Europe intersected, which provided the city´s prosperity. Košice used to be a significant economic, cultural and social centre of former Hungary, which in fact influenced its development.
Visitor’s attention is drawn mostly by the historic center, rich in architectonic and art monuments. It is represented by well preserved and perfectly developed type of town with a lenticular square.
When walking down the Hlavná Street every visitor stops at the attractive building of the State National and spends a while relaxing at the singing fountain in the nearby park.
The city historical monument reservation in Košice is the largest one in Slovakia, with 556 protected cultural monuments on its area of over 85 hectares.
Behind the National theater there is a beautiful Baroque-styled Immaculata statuary, reminding of the plague epidemic which raged here in the 18th century.
Urban’s Tower stands next to the cathedral and St. Michael’s Chaple is on the other side.
The St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe, is its dominant.
There are several museums and galleries worth visiting in Košice.
Košice Marathon. The oldest marathon in Europe Since 1924. 100th running takes place on Sunday 6 October 2024.
The city visitors willing to buy something original shouldn’t miss the Street of Potter’s (Hrnčiarska), known as the street of handicraft, where artistic artifacts are sold in individual shops and historic handicrafts are demonstrated.
