Top attractions in Kosice: what to see, where to go

Kosice, an ancient city with a rich history, stands out among its peers due to its ability to preserve heritage not only on the pages of chronicles, but also in reality. Despite military clashes, geopolitical changes and epidemics, the city has not lost its historical appearance. Many significant sights of Kosice are concentrated along the Main Street, mainly architectural monuments, some of which date back to the 13th-17th centuries.

Moving a little further from the city, tourists discover another side of this region - its natural beauty. One of the country's most fascinating national parks, Slovak Paradise provides unique opportunities to experience nature. The Dobshin Ice Cave, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just one of its gems. The Košice district also has more than 350 caves, waterfalls, canyons and hills, providing visitors with a comfortable environment to explore.

What to visit and how to spend time in Kosice?

Discover fascinating and scenic walks, accompanied by photographs and short descriptions.

Main Street - The main artery of the city

This picturesque street stretches south from Liberators Square and north from Peace Marathon Square. The city's key attractions are concentrated here, as well as three parks with beautiful fountains. Most of the street is a pedestrian zone. More than a hundred architectural monuments spanning different periods of development have made this street unique. Inside the buildings you can see traces of medieval heritage, adding a special flavor to them.

Church of St. Michael the Archangel

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel, originally built as a chapel in the 14th century and belonging to the Dome Cathedral, is located on the territory where there was once a cemetery. This cemetery was closed several centuries ago, and the land around it was turned into a well-kept park, which is believed to have retained its appearance from the 18th century. In 2006, the church received the status of a church, and at that time work was carried out on its restoration. The work was successfully completed and the project was awarded the prize for the best restored building of the year.

Cathedral of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

The Cathedral of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the largest Gothic church in Slovakia. The construction of this magnificent structure took more than a hundred years and was completed in 1508. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the bell tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the city from a height of 59 meters. One of the great treasures of the cathedral is the altar, created in 1477, decorated with paintings depicting 48 scenes. On the territory of the cathedral there are also the Tower of St. Urban and the Church of St. Michael the Archangel.

St. Urban's Tower

The Tower of St. Urban is an integral part of the architectural ensemble, together with the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and the Cathedral of St. Helena of Hungary, making up a historical complex. Its construction took place from the 14th to the 15th centuries. The tower originally served as a bell tower, and one of the bells was restored and installed in front of the entrance after a fire. Currently, a unique exhibition of a wax museum is located inside the tower.

Museum of Eastern Slovakia

Opened to visitors in 1872, the East Slovak Museum is the oldest museum in the country. Its extensive collection occupies a significant space in the building, built at the beginning of the last century and decorated with a facade topped with images of mythical heroes. The museum's exhibition covers the history of the region, from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. One of the most fascinating exhibits is an 11 kg gold bar known as the Košice Gold Reserve.

Plague pillar

In 1723, an unusual monument was erected on the site where executions had previously taken place. This pillar was created in memory of the victims of the plague epidemic. The authors of the project are S. Grimming and L. Tornissi. The composition includes many elements and is full of symbolism. It is completed by a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, whose height reaches 14 meters. During the war, the pillar was damaged, and the restoration process dragged on for several decades, taking place in two stages.

Slovak Technical Museum

The Slovak Technical Museum was founded in 1947 and collected its funds, numbering 14 thousand items, four years before its opening. The museum's exhibition covers a wide range of topics in the development of science and technology in the country, including the fields of cinematography, astronomy, and pottery. The museum building is also connected with an interesting story about Beate Laska, the first tourist in the world to go hiking in the Tatras.

East Slovak Gallery

The Gallery of Eastern Slovakia was founded in 1951, and its building, built in the 18th century in Baroque style, underwent significant changes during reconstruction, which took place almost a century later. The gallery currently presents three main exhibitions: 19th-century painting in Eastern Slovakia, 20th-century Slovak graphics and 20th-century art in Eastern Slovakia. In addition, temporary exhibitions are held regularly.

Jacob's Palace

Jacob's Palace, a magnificent building recreated in 1899 in the center of Kosice, was originally located by a stream but now stands next to the modern highway. The building served as a family nest, headquarters and embassy before its halls began to host official events. After the war, the palace was nationalized, and the owners consider this an illegal seizure of property. Disputes and litigation over the right to this historical building continue to this day.

Theater Kosice

The main building of this theater was built in the neo-Baroque style at the end of the 19th century. The facade is majestically decorated with sculptures dedicated to theatrical art. Nearby is the Small Hall, decorated in Art Nouveau style. The first theatrical performances were presented to the public in 1899, and they were performed in Hungarian. Currently, the theater's repertoire includes not only dramatic productions, but also ballets, operas and operettas. There is a “Singing Fountain” at the entrance.

Miklushova prison

In the 15th century, two houses were built in the Gothic style, which were later combined and turned into a pottery workshop. In the 17th century, after a new reconstruction, these houses were turned into places for holding prisoners. In addition to the cells and guard rooms, there was even a torture room inside. After the latest reconstruction, Miklushova Prison became part of a museum complex focused on presenting the main themes - justice and criminal law of the Middle Ages.

Old Town Hall

The building acquired its modern appearance at the end of the 18th century, between the 70s and 80s. Initially, on this plot of land there were two separate buildings, erected several centuries ago, which were later combined into one. The facade of the town hall is decorated with exquisite stucco and statues depicting characters from ancient mythology. Currently, the Town Hall premises are used as an information center and for presentations and public events.

City Park

The city park has a rich history, dating back to the times when various gardens were located in its place, changing in accordance with the preferences of various owners. At some point, a balneological resort operated here, but over time, separate baths, sports grounds and the necessary infrastructure for recreation were created. There are several monuments located inside the park that attract the attention of visitors. Particularly noteworthy is the water complex, offering a 50-meter pool for a variety of outdoor activities.

Monument “Coat of Arms of Kosice”

The monument “Coat of Arms of Kosice” was erected in 2002 in the park to commemorate a historical event: in 1369, Louis I first assigned the city of Kosice its own coat of arms, making it the first in Europe. The monument itself depicts an angel with spread wings, holding a shield with a coat of arms. The total height of the monument exceeds 4.5 meters, which makes it an important symbol of the history of this amazing city

Botanical Garden: Green Oasis of Amazing Flora

This unique botanical garden is considered the most extensive in the country, covering an area of approximately 30 hectares. Here you can enjoy the richness of the flora, represented by about 4 thousand different species. The gates of this green corner have been delighting visitors since 1950.

One of the prides of the garden is its unique collections of cacti, orchids and insect-eating plants. Regular exhibitions and festivals invite visitors to experience the colors and shapes of these stunning plants. In addition, in addition to public events, the garden staff conducts scientific research, contributing to the expansion of our knowledge of the plant kingdom.

Yasovskaya cave

Jasovska Cave is part of the unique Slovak Karst National Park. This cave became the first in the country where tourists began to be received on a regular basis. The length of the cave system is 2811 meters, and 720 meters are accessible to visitors. Inside the cave you can see amazing forms of limestone layers, halls with different levels and underground waterfalls. This unique underground world is also home to 19 species of bats.

Spis Castle

Spissky Castle, a castle located outside of Kosice, is one of the most famous tourist sites in Slovakia. Regular excursions from various cities head here to introduce visitors to its rich history. The fortress was built in the 12th century and covers an area of about 4 hectares, although only part of it is accessible to the public. Inside the castle there is a museum of medieval weapons and armor. Since 1996, this historical landmark has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Slovak Paradise

The national park was established in 1988 and takes its name from the mountain range it protects. The total area is just under 200 km². The region is famous for its variety of natural attractions, including the majestic 70-meter-high Zavojovi waterfall, Havranja Skala, which reaches a height of 1,152 meters, and the Dobshinskaya Ice Cave. There are more than 300 km of hiking trails throughout the park.