Košice
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Košice is a centre of the eastern Slovakia and lies on the banks of the Hornád River and is embraced by the Slovak Ore Mountains. It has appr. 240, 000 residents and it is the second largest city in Slovakia after the capital Bratislava. It was the European Capital of Culture in 2013 together with Marseille.
First mentioned in written source in 1230 as ”Cassa”, the city has seen the Mongol invasion, Hungarian regime, rule of Austrian Habsburgs and Czechoslovakian state being today as part of the independent Slovakia.
The large city centre of Košice is well-preserved and has Gothic, Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Baroque influences.
Recreation
There is several hiking trails at the mountains surrounding Košice and it is easy to spend a lovely day walking at the range and watch skyline of the city from above. Easiest of them are Jahodna (bus 14 from Havlickova or Mier to Horny Bankov stop) or Vyhliadkova Veza sightseeing tower providing the majestetic view over the city and mountain range (bus 29 bus from center, direction at the ZOO or ”Kavecany”). More information about trails is in Hikeplanner.
Something to see
Most of Košice’s attractions are along the main street Hlavná ulica and the streets Námestie Maratónu Mieru and Námestie Osloboditelov.
St Elizabeth’s Cathedral
This High Gothic religious monument is standing on a site where stood a parish church, which was destroyed by fire c. 1370. The construction of current cathedral in 1378. the northern tower of the cathedral is a remarkable vantage point, which offers a stunning view over the historical centre. Cathedral is open all year long between 10AM – 17PM. Reasonably-priced tickets are forsale at the entrance to the cathedral.
East Slovak Museum
Established in 1872 and locating at the Neo-Renaissance building (Hviezdoslavova 3), this museum is one of the oldests in Slovakia. Museum’s permanent exhibitions shows the Stone Age and Middle Age period and artifacts in eastern Slovakia, nature of the Carpathian Mountains, the memorial house of Franz II. There is also perodically changing exhibitions.
Csáky – Dessewffy Palace
This Classicist palace constructed in the beginning of 19th century is presently housing the seat of the Constitutional Court of Slovak Republic and also the biggest bookstore of Košice, which is selling literature in Slovak, Hungarian and English. Must-see for a book-wormish person!
How to get around
City has a very good tram network for travelling outside the city centre. Pricing and timetable of the local transportation are visible here.
How to get in Košice
Košice has an international airport with local flights from Bratislava. Several international operators provide flights from e.g. Prague, Vienna and London. More information about flights to and from Košice visible here.
Top 5 in Košice
- Day hiking in the mountains
- Bookstore at Csáky – Dessewffy Palace
- Singing fountain in the park between the State Theatre and the St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral
- Elizabeth’s Cathedral
- East Slovak Museum
Text: Timo Hellman
Photos: Wikimedia Commons with the CC-BY licence / Tucquero, Stefan4, Maros[/fusion_text]
