Košice – the center of Eastern Slovakia

Košice stands out in several ways. It was the first city in Europe to be granted its own coat of arms charter, thus becoming the official holder of a city coat of arms. Košice also hosts the International Peace Marathon, held every year on the first Sunday in October. It is considered the oldest marathon in Europe and the second oldest in the world, having been run since 1924.

The historic center of Košice is home to countless historical landmarks. If you take a walk along Main Street, you will not miss a single one of them. For example, you'll find St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, which is the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. Nearby, you will come across St. Michael’s Chapel and the State Theatre. Main Street is also home to the historic Town Hall building, where you can see the previously mentioned coat of arms displayed in its gable.

Košice is also a city of fountains with unique significance. Between the cathedral and the theatre, you can listen to one of a hundred melodies played by the Singing Fountain. Not far from it, next to a park full of greenery, you can make a wish by touching your zodiac sign depicted on the Fountain of Signs.

Another city atrraction is the Čermeľ Stream, which used to flow along the entire length of Main Street and created an island in the middle. Today, as a reminder, an artificial stream has been built that flows through the center of the street and disappears underground before reaching the square.

You can enjoy a view of Košice and the surrounding landscape from the Hradová tower or from the ruins of Košice Castle, which will be appreciated by history fans. Also worth a visit is the picturesque Crafts street, where you can soak up the atmosphere of traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, pottery, jewelry making, and more.

Aircraft and railway lovers will not be bored in Košice either. Near the international airport, you can find the Aviation Museum, which offers a huge collection of aircraft exhibits — from civilian and military planes to presidential aircraft. Many children will be thrilled by the children's railway, located in the valley of the Čermeľ Valley. However, the whole family will enjoy the 4.2 km long train ride.

For a cultural experience, you can visit Košice’s cultural hub – Tabačka Kulturfabrik, which offers a wide range of concerts, theatre performances, and other cultural events.

For more information, visit the city's official website:

https://www.kosice.sk/