The town of Košice is situated in its east part, not far distant from borders of Hungary, Ucraine and Poland. This advantageous position made from this town an important point of merchant ways in past. At present, Košice became key economic centre and a crossroad of transport routes, supported fully by railway junction and international airport, too. The town of Košice is placed in Košice Basin, in wide valley of Hornád river, bordered in west with headlands of Slovak Ore Mountains. City centre is placed in an altitude of 208 metres above sea level. As far as the climate is concerned, this is moderately warm.

First notice about the town comes of 1230. In 1290, the town got the right to construct fortifications. So called Low Gate is open for public in Subterranean Archaeological Museum. On 7th May 1369, the town obtained from monarch Louis the Great, its armorial document, as the first town of Europe. This escutcheon was subsequently added, till 1502, by further monarchs. So, the escutcheon in its final form of bronze plastic art, is a dominanta of so called Main Street. So, each year, just on 7th May, there are organized Town´s Days, within scope of those, famous artists visited a town, as, for example, also Italian singer Luciano Pavarotti. Košice was placed, thanks to its importance on the second place in Hungary. However, the town did not avoid Protestant and Catholic conflicts. In 1619, there were, as a consequence, killed here three martyrs. The town touched also anti-Habsburg rebellions, too.

When Austria-Hungary Empire crumbled in 1918, Košice became a part of Czechoslovakia, and since 1938, of Hungary. Nevertheless, since 1945, Košice was part of Czechoslovakia again. In spring of that year, all Czechoslovak Ministers, including President Edvard Beneš, arrived here. On 5th April 1945, they declared so called „Košice Government Programme“ in County Building. So, Košice was a capital of Czechoslovakia, before Prague was liberated. In the course of socialism time period, Košice became most developed town of Czechoslovakia. Now, since origin of independant Slovak Republic, the town became a seat of Constitutional Law-Court of Slovak Republic. During 1996-1997, the building undergone its general reconstruction and obtained its historical feature.

Town´s monument reservation of historical centre is the greatest in Slovakia. Now, it is a pleasant pedestrian area. So called singing fountain, joined with bell-ringing, is adding the atmosphere with its tones and optical impression. The park, surrounding the fountain, is an universal relax place for young and old persons, as well as for visitors. As far as the monuments is concerned, it is, first of all, St.Elizabeth Cathedral. This is the biggest Gothic Church in Slovakia. Its construction was effected since end of 14th century till the beginning of 16th century. It is taken for, therefore as the most east situated Cathedral, built in west Gothic style. The Cathedral is consecrated to St.Elizabeth of Hungary. Main altar presents her life in altar pictures. The Church has double turning stages, one of five ones, preserved in Europe. To Gothic „jewels“ inside the cathedral, belongs also marvellous Gothic pastoforium, 16 metres high. St. Michael´s Chapel, situated nearby, and Urban Tower, create, together with a Dome, a complex of National Culture Monument.

Hrnciarska ulica (Potters´Street), State Theatre, East Slovakia Museum (presenting Gold Treasury of Košice) or Slovak Technical Museum, belong to other important local places of  interest. Inside town´s area, there is also to be found ZOO garden (greatest in Central Europe), as well as Botanical Garden (the biggest one, as far as its extention is concerned), with  greatest cactus collection of former Czechoslovakia. Košice is a birthplace of important personalities, such as Sandor Marai, Martina Hingisova, Stephen Margita or Waldemar Matuška.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Photo: google.com, google earth