Sightseeing in Kosice - what to see. Complete travel guide

Kosice is a city located in the eastern part of Slovakia, at the foot of Black Mountain in the valley of the Hornad River. Kosice is the second largest city of the country and the center of the region with the same name. The population of the city reaches 235 thousand of people.

The city is an important trading and industrial center of Slovakia. Here is also located the second largest university of the country.

Tourists will find numerous sights in Kosice with various gothic buildings being the most famous ones. The center of the city features a large pedestrians-only walking zone, where you can see a monumental St. Elizabeth Cathedral. Its building lasted for two centuries, starting from 1378 and up to 1508. The complex of cathedrals also includes Urban Tower and St. Michael Tower. There is a passage to the city’s underground behind this church. In the Medieval there were located protective facilities.

Besides visiting these places of interest you may enjoy observing City Theater. In front of its main entrance is located a music fountain. The theatre’s inner decorations are represented by molded ornaments and ceiling paintings made by Gakeb. Behind the theater are located a Town Hall, City Museum, former prison of Kosice and Plague Column. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

You can also consider visiting Calvinist Church, Dominican Monastery, the Ursulines Kostel, Jesuit Kostel, Luteran Kirche, Franciscan Monastery, synagogues, and much more.

An important attraction of Košice is the Tower of King Sigismund - the northern tower of St. Elizabeth's Cathedral. Its height is 59 meters and to climb to the top of this tower, you must overcome a steep spiral staircase of 160 steps. At the top of the tower is an observation deck, from which a wonderful view of the city streets opens.

One of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the city is the building of the Old Town Hall. It was built in the late 18th century and represents a unique combination of two styles - Baroque and Classicism. Like many years ago, the building amazes with a beautiful finish of its facade; it retains skillful balustrades and columns in antique style.

On the historic street of Hlavná is a symbolic monument – Plague Column. The epidemic of plague hit the city in 1709 and claimed the lives of hundreds of people. In memory of this tragic event it was decided to mount a sculpture on the square, the main element of which is the figure of the Virgin Mary.

One of the most unusual city attractions is the House of the Beggar - a notable building of the 14th century, with which many interesting legends are associated. According to one of them, this house was built by one of the urban beggars. He was so skillfully engaged in begging, that it began to bring him a huge income. According to official data, this house was built for one of the wealthy merchants. Now on the first floor of the historic building, there are several interesting shops.

The building of the medieval prison Miklušova väznica, which was built in the 15th century, is also preserved in the city. Today it houses an interesting museum. In the prison, there are completely preserved old cells, a torture room, as well as an executioner's room where you can see his clothes and belongings. The executioner lived in the prison with his family.

On the historic street Hrnčiarskej, there is a very interesting place called the Lane of Crafts. In the Middle Ages, there were workshops of the most famous artisans in the city. Several of these workshops are still in operation. Presently in these historical buildings, there are interesting souvenir shops. Here you can look into an old pharmacy and visit several excellent bakeries. It is here that many tourists go in search of original souvenirs and forgery in the national style.