Košice – The Metropolis of Eastern Slovakia

Thanks to its advantageous geographic location, within 100 km of the Hungarian, Ukrainian and Polish borders, Košice became a significant trade route crossroads. The city entered the history books at the beginning of the 13th century and after only 150 years its pre-eminence was officially recognised when Košice, was the first town in Europe to be awarded its own “Town Armorial Bearings & Royal Status”.

In the more recent history of Slovakia, Košice is considered to be the most beautiful city in the country. Near to the centre, in close proximity, can be found many dominant monuments amongst which is the biggest church in Slovakia, the gothic St. Elisabeth Cathedral (or the Dome of St. Elisabeth), and the neo-baroque State Theatre. The park containing the sculptural group Immaculata and the park of the Singing fountain can be found within the recreational area. The Singing fountain and the chimes are a real attraction. The fountain is able simultaneously to react to its own music, to the sound of the chimes and to the music transmitted from the nearby theatre.

Košice is the heart and the official centre of the eastern region and is also its administrative, political, cultural and clerical base. The city is not lazy as far as sport is concerned either. Soccer, ice-hockey and basketball clubs regularly fight for supremacy in the major league tables. But the number one sports activity is something completely different: The oldest marathon in Europe, “The Košice Peace Marathon”, founded in 1924, is the second oldest marathon in the world – preceded only by “The Boston Marathon”. It runs on the first Sunday of October every year, along the streets of Košice city. Košice, a city with 235,000 inhabitants, is a sought-after place for various reasons.

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In addition to its history, the rich cultural life and the quality accommodation at affordable prices, the international airport and the wide-gauge railway - connecting the city with Eastern Europe – are also in operation. That might be the reason why so many Russian tourists are arriving here.

More info: www.kosice.sk

By Dodo Mikláš
Photo: Archive Košice

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