Travel expert
Read about the city
Košice is Slovakia's second largest city and the regional metropolis in the eastern part of the country. It is a beautiful city located on the river Honrád and relatively close to both Poland, Hungary and Ukraine. The location offers good opportunities for exciting trips in the area.
In the center of Košice there is a lot to see. The well-preserved old town is quite large and with nice variety in the sights. This is where you can see Slovakia's largest church, the Gothic Saint Elisabeth Cathedral, which stands in the middle of the city.
A stroll down the street Hlavná ulica is a must during a visit to Košice. It runs through the entire city center and many of the city's beautiful houses in art nouveau and other styles are located here. There are also several churches and many lovely cafes and restaurant for a wonderful break on the walk. It is also nice to see the narrow side streets.
There are many interesting things to see around Košice. The town of Prešov is located to the north, and from here it is not far to the ancient churches on the UNESCO World Heritage List and to the unforgettable and beautiful Tatra Mountains on the border with Poland. A trip to Hungary and Ukraine are also options.
Other attractions
- Immaculata: This is a Baroque plague column, which was erected in 1723 in gratitude for the end of the plague epidemic that ravaged Košice in 1709-1710. The 14 meter/45 foot high pillar has a Virgin Mary figure on top.
- Mikluš Prison/Miklušova väznica: This former prison was housed in two Gothic buildings from the 17th century to the 19th century and used for both detention and torture. Today, there are historical exhibits in the buildings that are part of the Eastern Slovak Museum.
- St Urban Tower/Urbanova veža: St Urban Tower is a bell tower dating from the 14th century. The St Urban Bell hangs in the tower, which was given an extension with arcades around it in 1912. Here you can see tombstones from the 14th and 15th centuries.
- The Eastern Slovak Museum/Východoslovenské múzeum: At the Eastern Slovak Museum in Košice you can take a closer look at history, art, archeology and much more from the region. The museum is located in different houses, and by the main building you can see an old wooden church that once stood in the village of Kožuchovce.
- The Old Town Hall/Historická radnica: Košice's old town hall was built in the years 1779-1780. You can see it on the city's main street, and inside there are beautiful rooms and halls that were supposed to represent the mayor and the city.
- St Michael's Chapel/Kaplnka sv. Michala: St Michael's Chapel is a Gothic chapel believed to have been built in the 14th century. The chapel served as a Slovak church, while the nearby cathedral was used by the German and Hungarian congregations.
- The Lower Gate/Dolná Brána: The Dolná Brána is a preserved part of Košice's ancient fortifications and city walls, which were originally built in the 13th century. Dolná Brána means The Lower Gate, and ruins were excavated in the 1990s and are today open for visits with a location under the city's main street, Hlavná ulica.
