Košice is a picturesque city that combines rich history, medieval architecture and modern rhythm of life. It is a place where the past meets the present.
Geographical location of Košice
Košice is located in the east of Slovakia, in the picturesque valley of the Hornad River, at the foot of the Čierna Hora mountain range. It is surrounded by low mountains and green hills, so beautiful nature is one of the main local attractions.
Košice has an area of 242 km² and it is one of the largest cities in Slovakia. The climate is temperate continental, with cool winters and warm summers. The average temperature in winter is around -2 degrees Celsius and rises to +20 in summer, occasionally reaching +30 on the hottest days. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.
A brief history of Košice
Where Košice is located has been known since the 12th century, when it was a royal residence. The first mentions date back to 1230. Since the 14th century, it has been the second most important city in Slovakia, which in turn was then part of the Kingdom of Hungary. Around the same time Košice became the first city in Europe to receive its own coat of arms.
In the XVII-XVIII centuries the city became the center of the Hungarian uprising against the Habsburgs. In 1919 the Slovak Soviet Republic was proclaimed here. Since 1938 the city was occupied by Hungary, after 1945 it became a part of Czechoslovakia, and since 1993 - a part of independent Slovakia. Today Košice is a major scientific and educational center and a dynamically developing city.
Demographics of Košice
Košice has a population of 229,040 as of 2021 and is the second largest city in Slovakia. The main population is Slovak, but Hungarians and other nationalities are also represented. Approximately half of the population identify themselves as Roman Catholic.
What language is spoken in Košice? It's simple! The official language is Slovak, but English is traditionally spoken in tourism and business. Due to the proximity of the borders you can meet Ukrainian and Hungarian speech.
Economy and infrastructure of Košice
The economy of Košice is based on industry, technology and education. The city is a center of metallurgy. It is home to the largest steel plant of the U. S. U. S. Steel Košice, one of the largest enterprises in Slovakia. In recent years, IT and startup industry has been actively developing.
Košice is an important transportation hub. It is connected by rail routes to Bratislava, Prague and Budapest. The international airport makes it a convenient travel destination. The internal transportation system is also well developed. There is convenient public transportation including buses, streetcars and trolleybuses.
Kosice's architecture is spectacular and diverse. There are Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance palaces and Baroque buildings. Particularly notable is the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, the largest Gothic church in Slovakia and the symbol of the city.
Culture and sights of Košice
Runners from all over the world know what country Kosice is in because it hosts the annual Kosice Marathon, one of the oldest marathons in Europe. Theater connoisseurs should check out the Košice State Theater, a neobaroque-style opera house designed by Hungarian architect Adolf Lang.
St. Elizabeth's Cathedral is not the only notable cathedral in the city. There are many religious sights here in general. For example, the Calvinist Church, Ursuline Church, Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, Lutheran Church and others.
Be sure to visit the Plague Column and Jakubov Palace. The botanical garden and zoo are perfect for strolling. Singing fountains will delight children and adults alike. Košice is also famous for the Košice Gold Hoard - a collection of gold coins and articles, which is now stored in the East Slovak Museum.
In 2013, Košice together with Marseille were declared European Cultural Centers of the Year. This contributed to the development of creative initiatives and modernization of the city's infrastructure. Now there are many art galleries and modern cultural venues.
Why visit Košice
Modern amenities, rich culture and historical heritage make Košice an ideal travel destination. This city will leave unforgettable impressions and a desire to return again!
