Popular Cities Kosice

Košice (Kaschau) is the second-largest city in Slovakia and at the same time the center of Eastern Slovakia. Visit one of the most historic cities in Slovakia 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 center 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 covers 1.2 kilometers (from Maratónu Mieru Square to Osloboditeľov Square) and served in particular as the main square of Košice during the Middle Ages. It combines the various styles of past eras and offers you the opportunity to admire masterpieces of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, or Art Nouveau. There is also the Lower Gate, an underground complex that allows you to enter the city's 13th-century fortifications.

Along your way, you will encounter various sights of the city. Catch a glimpse of the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth and explore the Singing Fountain behind the cathedral, which plays songs like "Yesterday" by the Beatles with its chimes. If you are a music enthusiast, then the State Theatre could also be very promising for you. Enjoy a ballet, theater, or opera performance. Next to the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth are the St. Michael's Chapel and the Urban Tower (bell tower). Discover the interesting 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 only a 10-minute walk from the city's train station and is worth a visit at any time of day! Below, we present more detailed information about some of the wonderful sights of Košice.

St. Elizabeth Cathedral (Dóm svätej Alžbety)

The St. Elizabeth Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, is located in the heart of the city of Košice and shines in its Gothic splendor. It is not only the largest church in Slovakia, but also the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. A landmark you shouldn't miss. In addition, the imposing building offers enough space for everyone! Up to 5,000 people fit into the city's religious and cultural center.

Historical background

The church has its origins as early as the 11th century, when a Romanesque church was built in honor of St. Michael. This church was then transformed into a church with a Gothic appearance. However, construction of the church known today only began around 1380, after a destructive fire broke out and gave rise to the construction of a new church. It was meant to appear magnificent and worthy of the prosperity of the city of Košice. But the construction was not completed with just the idea. The creation of the cathedral spanned more than a century, until approximately 1490.

Architecture

The Cathedral of St. Elizabeth is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The imposing building is particularly notable for its unique layout, which consists of a chancel, five naves, two towers, a sacristy with an upper floor, two chapels, and a southern vestibule. Through this arrangement 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 called Urban Tower got its name from St. Urban (patron saint of winemakers). 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 the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth! Travel back in time and discover the history of Košice. Admire the cultural heritage of the Slovak city.

Historical background

The origin of St. Urban's Tower dates 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-ton 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 roof of the tower. However, the original Urban bell was reassembled from the 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 was named, together with St. Elizabeth's Church and the Urban Tower, a national cultural monument in 1970. It is known in the city as Kostol svätého Michala and is located in the center as a hidden gem of the city. Just like St. Elizabeth's Church, the chapel shines in its 14th-century Gothic splendor and presents the magnificent stories of Košice. Originally, the chapel was regarded as a cemetery chapel and thus dedicated to the Archangel Michael (patron saint of the deceased). St. Michael's Chapel is located near St. Elizabeth'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 and 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 need a ticket; 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 a filming location for major film productions such as Dragonheart. A tour is definitely worthwhile and takes only half an hour. At least as rewarding is the view you get thanks to the castle's elevation!

The perfect time to travel

For a city trip, the summer season is always particularly well suited. Therefore, 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 suitable.

What do you need to consider when traveling to Slovakia?

In Slovakia, there is a vignette requirement, which is particularly important for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll, which applies, among other things, to highways and expressways. You can find more information about 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 don't know 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 about tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to optimally plan your trip and be shown suitable toll products. If you have any questions, we are available at any time via email.