Košice is the second largest city in Slovakia, located in the east at the foot of the Black Mountain massif and in the valley of the Hornad River. This geography is the reason for the picturesque views of the city and its surroundings. It is just a find for connoisseurs of natural beauty.
There have been settlements in this area before, but the first actual mention of Košice dates back to 1230. In the XIV century Slovakia was part of the Hungarian kingdom, and the city was the first in Europe to receive its own coat of arms. Later, Košice became the center of Hungarian uprisings against the Habsburgs. That is why the local history is so rich and eventful.
There are a lot of architectural monuments and museums in the city, so when planning a trip to Kosice on your own, it is better to get a guidebookat once, so as not to miss anything interesting. Or you can just stroll through the Old Town to feel the breath of centuries, enjoy the architecture and appreciate the bizarre eclecticism of styles from different eras. Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and Classicism can be found here, and almost every building has its own history.
