Košice city
Košice is the most beautiful city in Slovakia. With approx. 250,000 inhabitants it is the 2nd largest city in Slovakia after Bratislava (5th largest in the former Czechoslovakia). It is considered a tolerant city, because there co-exist 10 national minorities. The largest one is the Hungarian (4.5%), which has its General Consulate of Hungary here and Hungarian Thalia Theater. Another one with is Roma (2%) – have a professional theater Romathan – as the only one in the world is paid by the State, and Czechs (1.5%) – have General Consulate of the Czech Republic here. All the nationalities can use House of National Minorities that is built in centre of the city.
Košice was first mentioned in writing in the year of 1230. In 1290 settlement had already the right to build a city walls, which attractive Bottom Gate is accessible in the underground archaeological museum on Hlavná street 7. On 7th May 1369 the city obtained its own armorial list as the first city in Europe. Coat-of-arms has been gradually complemented by other sovereigns till 1502. Final coat of arms in the form of bronze sculptures is one of the landmarks of the city.
Therefore, organized celebration that lasts for a week is performing annually in Košice in May. One of the most important guests of the celebration was Luciano Pavarotti in 1998 who has a concert here.
After the collapse of Austria-Hungary (1918) Košice became a part of Czechoslovakia and in 1938 a part of Hungary again. Since 1945, it was finally part of Czechoslovakia again. Until to the liberation of Prague, Košice was in fact the capital city of Czechoslovakia. Temporary president residence was Jakab’s palace. During socialism, thanks to the metallurgical combine (VSZ later, now U.S. Steel), Košice was the fastest growing city in Czechoslovakia. Since the establishment of an independent Slovakia in 1993 it is a home of Constitutional Court. In 1996-1997 Košice city was reconstructed by former mayor of Košice Rudolf Schuster and returned to the historic dress, after which the city became the most beautiful city in Slovakia.
Top Sights To See In Košice
The city has a well preserved historical center, which is the largest among Slovak towns. There are many heritage protected buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Secession styles.
St. Elizabeth Cathedral is the largest gothic cathedral in Slovakia. It was built from the late 14th century to the beginning of the 16th century. It is considered the most eastern cathedral built in western gothic style. Is dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. The main altar shows her life. Cathedral has a double Gothic spiral staircase, one of five in Europe. Bronze baptismal font in the Cathedral is probably from the previous church that stood on the same place.
Gothic Chapel of St. Michal and Urban’s Tower that stand next to the Cathedral, create together the complex of national cultural monuments.
Košice has the oldest public transport system in Slovakia. The first transport company here was already in 1891.
The State Theatre is among the five most beautiful theater buildings in Central Europe.
Košice is the seat of the Slovak Technical Museum – one of its kind in Slovakia with the first planetarium in Slovakia. In the airport you can visit new Museum of Aviation.
Košice is a place of the oldest marathon in Europe (since 1924) that is performing the first Sunday in October.
In 2013, it will hold the European Capital of Culture title together with Marseille, France.