Košice, Slovakia’s second-largest city, is one of Central Europe’s most beautiful historic centers, where medieval Gothic, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque architecture are all present.
Located on the banks of the Hornád River in the eastern part of the country, just 20 kilometers from the Hungarian border, Košice held the title of European Capital of Culture in 2013, which demonstrates not only its cultural richness but also its vibrant artistic life. It then received the title of European Capital of Volunteering in 2019, thus historically becoming the first city from Central and Eastern European countries, and the sixth European city after Barcelona, Lisbon, London, Sligo, and Aarhus to receive this prestigious award.
Table of Contents
Košice attractions
Main Street (Hlavná ulica)
The pedestrian street running through the heart of the city is Košice’s most important public space, stretching more than a kilometer in a north-south direction. This impressive square-like street is one of Europe’s longest and most beautiful historic main streets, which functioned as a commercial and cultural center in the Middle Ages.
Along Main Street stand the city’s most significant architectural monuments, townhouses, and public buildings. The architectural styles of different eras – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau – create a harmonious unity that offers a true journey through time while walking. Along the street, you’ll find St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, the State Theatre, numerous cafés, and restaurants.
The pedestrian street is full of bustling life year-round, where locals and tourists alike enjoy spending time. In summer, street musicians, artists, and terraces create a great atmosphere, while in winter, the Christmas market creates a special ambiance.
St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral
Central Europe’s largest Gothic church and Slovakia’s most significant sacred building was constructed in the 14th century. Construction of the present cathedral, which stands on the site of the original Romanesque-style church, began in 1378 and lasted approximately 150 years. The church was named after St. Elizabeth of the House of Árpád, who was born in Sárospatak in 1207.
Beyond the cathedral’s impressive dimensions – 60 meters long and 16 meters wide – its two 59-meter-high towers are particularly spectacular. Inside, the carved wooden panels of the main altar date from the 15th century and depict St. Elizabeth’s life in 48 scenes. The church preserves a valuable collection: medieval frescoes, Gothic statues, and an organ from the 17th century.
A special curiosity is the royal crypt beneath the church, where the internal organs of Prince Francis II Rákóczi are kept. George Thurzó, one of the church’s significant patrons, also rests in the cathedral’s crypt. The Cathedral Square surrounding the church is now a venue for cultural events and concerts.
In evening illumination, the cathedral offers an unparalleled sight. Climbing the stairs leading to the towers reveals a breathtaking panorama of the old town and its surroundings.
St. Michael’s Chapel
The two-story Gothic chapel standing on the southern side of Cathedral Square was built at the end of the 14th century next to St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral.
The building’s peculiarity is that its lower level served as an ossuary, or bone chamber, while its upper level functioned as a prayer space. This solution was typical of European cemetery chapels in the Middle Ages.
The chapel’s sacristy houses one of the most unique monuments in Košice’s history: the museum preserving the Košice Gold Treasure. The treasure, discovered in 1906, contains more than 2,900 gold coins from the 15th-17th centuries, as well as Renaissance gold artifacts, medallions, and decorative objects. The treasure was likely hidden within the chapel walls during the 17th-century anti-Habsburg period.
The chapel’s Gothic vaulting and carved stone decorations evoke the original medieval atmosphere. Several valuable paintings from the 15th-16th centuries are also visible in the chapel. Despite the building’s small size, it is a significant tourist attraction, primarily due to the gold treasure exhibition, which is one of Central Europe’s most valuable numismatic collections.
Urban Tower
The 14th-century Gothic bell tower rising next to St. Michael’s Chapel was originally built as a standalone structure in the southern part of Cathedral Square. The 60-meter-high tower had not only a sacred function but also a defensive one, as it served as a watchtower for the old town.
The building’s architectural peculiarity is that it is not directly connected to the cathedral, which is an unusual solution in medieval church architecture. A Gothic gateway leads into the lower part of the tower, while narrow, spiral staircases run through the upper levels. Among the bells in the tower, the largest weighs more than 5 tons.
The tower was named in honor of Pope St. Urban, patron saint of vineyard workers and protection against storms. A sundial is visible on the tower wall, which was made in the 18th century. Its restoration took place in the 20th century, when the roof structure and facade decorations were renewed.
Today, the tower is an integral part of the Cathedral Square monument complex. Its visit is particularly recommended for those who want to learn about Košice’s medieval urban structure and defense system. The ensemble of the tower and chapel offers a unique sight in European Gothic architecture.
Musical Fountain
The modern attraction located in the central part of Main Street was built in 1986 and has since become one of Košice’s most popular meeting places.
Its special feature is that its water display operates synchronized with music and evening lights, providing a unique experience for visitors. The programmed water jet performances can be viewed several times daily.
A spacious area surrounds the fountain, with benches and rest areas where locals and tourists alike enjoy spending time. On summer evenings, guests at the surrounding terraces can also enjoy the light and music shows. In addition to popular melodies, classical music excerpts are also played.
State Theatre
The Neo-Baroque style building at the northern end of Main Street opened in 1899 and has since been Eastern Slovakia’s most important cultural institution. The building was designed by Viennese architect Adolf Lang, who applied the era’s popular historicist style. The facade’s rich sculptural decoration and the balcony above the entrance are masterpieces of late 19th-century theater architecture.
Inside the building, a 600-seat auditorium, three levels of boxes, and a magnificent chandelier welcome the audience. The interior spaces are made elegant by gilded stucco decorations, frescoes, and red velvet-covered seats. The theater hosts not only opera and ballet performances but also dramatic and musical productions.
Throughout the theater’s history, many famous artists have performed here, and it has been the venue for significant opera premieres. It was renovated several times during the 20th century, most recently in 2012, when Košice held the title of European Capital of Culture. During the reconstruction, the building regained its original splendor.
Holy Trinity Column
In the middle of Main Street, between St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral and the town hall, rises a 14-meter-high Baroque memorial column.
It was erected in 1723 after the plague passed, following the Central European tradition of erecting thanksgiving columns after epidemics. The sculpture group features the Holy Trinity at the top, with statues of saints and angels below.
The monument was designed and created by Viennese sculptor Johann Anton Krauss. On the column’s pedestal are statues of St. Sebastian, St. Rosalia, and St. Joseph, who are patron saints against plague epidemics. The rich sculptural decoration and gilded parts are characteristic expressions of Baroque art.
The area around the column was a central meeting place in the 18th century, where markets and city celebrations were held. It remains an important orientation point in the city today, where tourists and locals meet. The area around the statue has been renovated in recent times and is decorated with flower beds in spring.
Jakab Palace
The Art Nouveau masterpiece at 71 Main Street was built between 1899 and 1902 on commission from merchant Peter Jakab.
The building was designed by Lajos Kozma, one of the finest representatives of Budapest Art Nouveau. The palace’s facade is decorated with special majolica ceramic ornaments, floral motifs, and colorful tile cladding.
The architectural uniqueness of the house is the use of ceramic decorations made at the Zsolnay factory, which transform the facade into virtually an artistic creation. The corner balcony and ornately carved balcony railings excellently exemplify turn-of-the-century decorative art. The ground floor housed shops, while the upper floors contained apartments.
Throughout the Jakab Palace’s history, it has always served commercial and residential functions. It was renovated several times during the 20th century, but its original Art Nouveau character was successfully preserved. Today, the building is a protected monument, representing one of the easternmost examples of Hungarian Art Nouveau in Slovakia.
Best museums in Košice
East Slovak Museum
One of the city’s oldest and largest museums was founded in 1872 and is housed in a palace near Main Street. The museum’s collection presents the history, archaeology, natural history, and ethnography of Košice and Eastern Slovakia. The permanent exhibitions contain several thousand objects from the Stone Age to the present day.
The museum’s archaeology department preserves particularly valuable finds from the area’s Avar and Slavic settlements. The historical collection presents Košice’s medieval development, guild operations, and the city’s role in the Habsburg Empire. The natural science section documents the region’s geological and botanical values.
The ethnographic exhibition presents the area’s traditional folk culture, costumes, and crafts. The museum’s numismatic collection deserves special attention, containing several thousand coins from different periods. Among the medieval coins are pieces minted in Košice.
All information can be found here!
East Slovak Gallery
The gallery presenting Eastern Slovakia’s most significant fine arts collection is housed in a palace built in the early 20th century.
The institution began operating in 1951 as the East Slovak gallery, then in 2013, the year Košice was European Capital of Culture, it was significantly expanded and modernized. The gallery preserves several thousand works of art.
The permanent exhibition presents the region’s fine arts from the 14th century to the present day. Alongside pieces of Gothic sacred art, Renaissance and Baroque paintings can be seen. The 19th-20th century collection includes works by both Slovak and Hungarian artists. A modern and contemporary art section also operates.
The gallery is particularly proud of its medieval wooden sculpture collection, one of Slovakia’s richest such collections. Representative pieces of 19th-century landscape painting are also present, along with Art Nouveau and Art Deco works. The contemporary section also features interactive installations and video art works.
All information can be found here!
Slovak Technical Museum
One of Central Europe’s most interesting technology history museums opened in Košice in 1947. The museum presents a unique collection from the history of mining, metallurgy, transportation, and telecommunications. The building consists of several wings, and in addition to exhibition halls, interactive demonstration sites await visitors.
The museum’s most famous part is the exhibition connected to the Košice Technical University, which documents the region’s industrial history. The mining section displays original mining equipment, tools, and models. The railway history section presents locomotives, railway cars, and signaling equipment. A special feature of the aviation section is the collection of Hungarian and Czechoslovak aircraft.
The telecommunications exhibition traces the development of telephony and radio. One of the most interesting attractions is the coin museum, which presents the history of Slovak and surrounding mints with working machines. In the museum’s basement level, visitors encounter working replicas of 19th-century technologies.
The museum’s interactive section is particularly attractive for children, where they can try out various mechanisms. Railway cars and industrial machines stand in the museum’s outdoor section.
All information can be found here!
Museum of Victims of Communism
The contemporary history museum opened in 2016 commemorates the victims of 20th-century dictatorships. The museum’s goal is to present the functioning of the communist regime, its oppressive mechanisms, and human rights violations in Czechoslovakia. The institution works with modern museum pedagogy tools and places special emphasis on the historical education of younger generations.
The exhibition chronologically presents the period from the communist takeover to the regime’s fall. Personal stories, documents, photos, and material memories make the experiential presentation authentic. A separate section deals with political trials, labor camps, and border guard issues. The crushing of the 1968 Prague Spring also has its own room.
The museum’s most moving part is the series of interactive installations presenting the stories of political prisoners. Original cells and interrogation rooms have been reconstructed, where visitors can feel the inhumanity of the dictatorship. Audiovisual materials and eyewitness accounts make the experience even more vivid.
All information can be found here!
Miklós Prison
The former prison building in the eastern part of the city now operates as a museum and is one of Košice’s most authentic historical sites.
The building was constructed in the 18th century and served as a prison for more than two centuries. The prison operated until the mid-1990s, so visitors can gain direct insight into the life of a real penal institution.
The museum presents the development of the prison system from the 18th century to the present day. The original cells, corridors, and common areas have retained their authentic atmosphere. The daily life of prisoners, prison uniforms, work tools, and punishment instruments are visible. A separate exhibition deals with notorious political prisoners who were held here during the communist period.
A special feature of the prison is the so-called „death cell” where condemned prisoners awaiting execution were kept. Visitors can view the courtyard where prisoners could walk, as well as the workshops where they worked. Interactive elements make the museum visit experiential: audio recordings, screenings, and historical documents.
Rodostó House
The special memorial museum at 88 Main Street preserves the memory of Francis II Rákóczi and the exiles.
The building opened in 1994 and is a faithful replica of the original Rákóczi house in Rodostó, Anatolia (now Tekirdağ, Turkey). The institution’s purpose is to present the life of Hungarian emigrants who fled to Turkey after the freedom fight’s defeat.
The museum’s exhibition evokes the prince’s years of exile in Rodostó with authentic furnishings, furniture, and personal objects. Period documents, letters, and paintings are visible, conveying the atmosphere of Rákóczi’s final years. The museum also presents Turkish-Hungarian cultural relations.
A separate room deals with the Kuruc period and the events of the freedom fight. Visitors can learn about Rákóczi’s political program and the fate of the exiles. The institution regularly organizes commemorations on March 15 and October 23.
Košice weather: when is the best time to visit?
Košice is located in a continental climate zone, which means distinct seasons and significant temperature differences throughout the year. The city is situated at 208 meters above sea level, which moderates summer heat but can make winter weather colder.
Spring (March–May):
Spring months bring variable weather, with frosts and snow showers still possible in March. April truly begins nature’s awakening, with daytime temperatures around 15-18°C. May already offers pleasantly warm weather with average temperatures of 20-22°C. The city blooms during this time, parks turn green, and the cultural season begins with outdoor events.
Summer (June–August):
Summer months are warm but not stifling. June and July are the warmest period with average temperatures of 25-28°C, though heat waves above 30°C can occur. August brings cooler temperatures. More precipitation falls in summer, with afternoon thunderstorms common. Long days are ideal for sightseeing, with terraces and outdoor concerts welcoming visitors.
Autumn (September–November):
September still offers pleasant, sunny weather with temperatures of 18-22°C. October is cooler, with values around 10-15°C, but autumn colors make the city beautiful. November is already cold and rainy, sometimes with snow. The autumn period is rich in cultural programs, with major festivals and museum events taking place.
Winter (December–February):
Winter months are cold, with daytime temperatures often remaining below freezing. In December and January, values typically range between -5°C and +2°C. Snowfall is frequent, and the city in winter dress creates a magical atmosphere. By the end of February, the weather begins to moderate. The Christmas period is particularly romantic with the illuminated old town and the Main Street Christmas market.
Best time to visit:
The ideal period for visiting Košice runs from late April to early October, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing. The best months are May, June, and September, when it’s not too hot, there are fewer tourists, and cultural life is vibrant. May is particularly recommended for blooming parks and spring events.