Discover Košice: History, Crafts and Nature

Košice between Heritage Preservation and a Vibrant City

Košice combines an exceptionally important historic centre with museums, crafts, events and a wide range of nature experiences. The historic centre is Slovakia’s largest urban heritage reserve. This makes the city an ideal destination for anyone who wants to experience history and culture on their trip through Slovakia not only in individual attractions, but within a cohesive urban setting.

At the heart of the city stands St. Elisabeth’s Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Slovakia. You can climb its north tower via a spiral staircase. St. Michael’s Chapel also offers an insight into Košice’s medieval history: the Gothic church dates from the 14th century and has an underground ossuary. The interior can be visited as part of a guided tour with a guide. A miracle that occurred during a ceremony at St. Elisabeth’s Cathedral in 1352 made Košice an internationally important pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages.

Museums, the Gold Treasure and Traditional Crafts

Several institutions complement the historic buildings when planning your cultural itinerary. The East Slovak Museum has a historical department and changing exhibitions of various kinds. The Košice Gold Treasure is a find from 1935 comprising 2,920 coins, three medals and a Renaissance chain. At MarathonPoint, an exhibition presents the history of the International Peace Marathon along with authentic artefacts. The Košice Peace Marathon has taken place in Košice since 1924.

Another side of the city can be seen on the Crafts Alley in Hrnčiarska Street, which is home to several artists and businesses. There, you can talk to a local potter about the special features of Habán pottery. The ÚĽUV Regional Crafts Centre Košice offers courses for adults and children, including the basics of wood carving and ceramic modelling. It also includes a gallery with themed exhibitions on traditional crafts and a shop selling folk art products.

Contemporary culture is represented too: the Kunsthalle was created from the building of a former swimming pool and is now a centre for presenting contemporary art. The Košice National Theatre includes opera, ballet, drama and operetta.

Nature and Family Experiences in Košice

If you would like to combine your day in the city with nature, the UPJŠ Botanical Garden in Košice offers a broad range of themed attractions. It features more than 4,000 species, a dendrological educational trail, greenhouses, cacti, and orchid and butterfly exhibitions. Košice City Park is ideal for a walk at any time of year. Music festivals are held there in a beautiful 19th-century pavilion.

Families can choose the Košice Children’s Historic Railway. It travels through the Čermeľ Valley along a forest route towards Alpinka Košice. At Košice Zoo, you can observe animals in outdoor enclosures, indoor pavilions and terrariums; visitors can also regularly take part in animal feedings.

Local Markets and Street Food

For a casual culinary break, the Street Food Corner at Kino Úsmev offers a variety of food trucks and typical street-food options from Košice. The Street Food Festival at Kino Úsmev takes place twice a year. The MAME local brands market is held regularly at Dominican Square. This allows you to complement your cultural programme with local products, crafts and street food without limiting the city to its historic sights.

For the overarching travel overview: Košice.

More about the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Košice – Industrial Centre in Eastern Slovakia.