Popular Cities Kosice

Košice (Kaschau) is the second-largest city in Slovakia and at the same time the centre of Eastern Slovakia. Visit one of Slovakia's most history-steeped cities and discover remnants of various eras. The incredible history of the city dates back to the year 1230.

Sights of the city

Main Street

Hlavná Ulica (Main Street) is the historic centre of the city and connects the impressive sights of Košice. From this street, admire medieval towers or visit one of the museums. The pedestrian zone spans 1.2 kilometres (from Maratónu Mieru Square to Osloboditeľov Square) and served, especially in the Middle Ages, as the main square of Košice. It combines the various styles of bygone eras and offers you the opportunity to admire masterpieces of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque or Art Nouveau architecture. The Lower Gate is also located there, an underground complex that allows you to enter the city's 13th-century fortifications.

Along your way, you will come across various sights of the city. Catch a glimpse of St Elisabeth's Cathedral and explore the Singing Fountain behind the cathedral, which plays songs like "Yesterday" by the Beatles with its chimes. If you are a music lover, the State Theatre could also be very promising for you. Enjoy a ballet, theatre or opera performance. Alongside St Elisabeth's Cathedral are St Michael's Chapel and the Urban Tower (bell tower). Discover the fascinating history of the Urban Tower.

Equally worth seeing are the impressive noble palaces and stately houses. Admire the Andrássy Palace and the Csáky-Dezsőfi Palace. There you can also discover art galleries, cafés and restaurants.

Main Street is just a 10-minute walk from the city's train station, and a visit is worthwhile at any time of day! Below, we present more detailed information on some of the wonderful sights of Košice.

St Elisabeth's Cathedral (Dóm svätej Alžbety)

St Elisabeth's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St Elisabeth, is located in the heart of the city of Košice and shines in its Gothic splendour. It is not only the largest church in Slovakia, but also the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. A landmark you shouldn't miss. What's more, the impressive building offers plenty of space for everyone! Up to 5,000 people can fit inside the city's religious and cultural centre.

Historical background

The church has its origins as early as the 11th century, when a Romanesque church was built in honour of St Michael. This church was then converted into a Gothic-style church. However, construction of the church known today did not begin until around 1380, after a devastating fire broke out, prompting the construction of a new church. It was meant to appear magnificent and worthy of the prosperity of the city of Košice. But the idea alone did not finish the construction. The creation of the cathedral spanned more than a century, lasting until around 1490.

Architecture

St Elisabeth's Cathedral is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The impressive building is particularly notable for its unique layout, consisting of an altar area, five naves, two towers, a sacristy with an upper floor, two chapels and a southern vestibule. Through this design of the various spaces, the central nave and the four side aisles, together with the transept, form a Greek cross.

Urban Tower

The bell tower known as the Urban Tower got its name from St Urban (patron saint of winegrowers). In Košice, the Urban Tower is also known by its Slovak name, Urbanova veža, and represents a significant historical landmark. Visit the impressive bell tower, located right next to St Elisabeth's Cathedral! Travel back in time and discover the history of Košice. Admire the cultural heritage of the Slovak city.

Historical background

The origins of St Urban's Tower date back to the second half of the 16th century. At that time, the bell tower was built for the Gothic cathedral and changed over the years, until the bells were destroyed by a tragic fire in 1556. However, a new bell was created from the melted remains in 1557. The five-tonne bell was named Urban. Further changes took place from 1775 onwards, but unfortunately another fire broke out in 1966, destroying the Urban bell as well as the tower's roof. However, the original Urban bell was reassembled from its remains and has been on display in front of the tower since 1989. After the last fire, renovations and restorations took place until 2021, and to this day the bell tower awaits further restoration.

St Michael's Chapel

St Michael's Chapel, together with St Elisabeth's Church and the Urban Tower, was declared a national cultural monument in 1970. It is known in the city by the name Kostol svätého Michala and is located in the centre as a hidden gem of the city. Just like St Elisabeth's Church, the chapel shines in its 14th-century Gothic splendour and showcases the magnificent stories of Košice. Originally, the chapel was regarded as a cemetery chapel and was thus dedicated to the Archangel Michael (patron saint of the deceased). St Michael's Chapel is located near St Elisabeth's Church and the Urban Tower.

Near Košice

But it's not just the city itself that has a lot to offer – the surrounding area does too. Take the opportunity to explore the beautiful nature of the Dobšiná Ice Cave or the magnificent Spiš Castle.

Dobšiná Ice Cave

The Dobšiná Ice Cave is located just an hour and a half from Košice and is one of the largest ice caves in the world. A wonder you shouldn't miss! Marvel at impressive ice formations and descend into the depths of the cave. To explore the cave, you will need a ticket, and a guided tour is best. Don't forget to dress warmly and pack sturdy footwear!

Spiš Castle

Spiš Castle is located 45 minutes from the city and is known as one of the largest fortress complexes in all of Central Europe. The still well-preserved castle has already served as the filming location for major film productions such as Dragonheart. A tour is definitely worthwhile and only takes about half an hour. At least as worthwhile is the view you get from the castle's height!

The perfect time to travel

Summer is always particularly well suited for a city trip. That's why we also recommend the travel period between July and August for Košice. Enjoy the city and the nature surrounding Košice in summery temperatures. If you prefer to travel in mild temperatures, then May, June or September are very well suited.

What should you keep in mind when travelling to Slovakia?

Slovakia has a vignette requirement, which plays a particularly important role for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll charged on the signposted sections of motorways and expressways. You can find more information on the vignette requirement as well as penalties for not having a vignette in our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also a distance-based toll. If you're not familiar with the difference, feel free to check out our article on tolls in Slovakia!

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Slovakia and lots of enjoyment while exploring this diverse country. You can find more information on tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to optimally plan your trip and see the suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are available at any time via email.