Experience in Kosice, Slovakia by Eva

What is it like to live in Kosice? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Discover the City of Košice – a unique Central European metropolis and European Capital of Culture 2013!

Košice is home to the oldest marathon in Europe, it boasts the largest heritage reservation in Slovakia, as well as the largest and most important gold treasure in Europe, but most importantly, it is a city where life is lived and enjoyed.

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So come and try a tasty coffee or the cocktail Košické zlato (Košice gold) at one of the street cafes on a Friday evening, when the people of Košiče take the streets and bars of the Old Town centre. Or why not to visit the Východoslovenské Múzeum (East Slovak Museum) and admire the gold treasure (and secretly wish that you had discovered it)?, Or to soak up the tropical atmosphere of the Botanical Gardens? Or you can just enjoy a stroll around the old streets of the city and drop into a restaurant or bar for a glass of excellent Slovak wine or some local delicacy.

What is the student lifestyle like in Kosice?

Most of the students are having fun and enjoying the city. For the medicine students is harder, but not so. If you are Erasmus students don´t worry you will pass all of the exams, and teacher will be happy that you are here.

How much does it cost to live in Kosice?

Slovakia is almost at the same price level as Czech republic or Hungary. Poland is a little bit cheaper. But still you can find really cheap fast-foods, kebab places or pizza. Here is an example of the prices in Košice: Numbeo

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Kosice? Is there any advice you can give?

The cheapest option is to live in the dormitory, they often have places for Erasmus students. The price for a shared room is around 50 euros, usually not more than 80 euros per person monthly. The big flat with 3-4 bedrooms cost around 400 euros depending on which part of the city you choose. Of course, it is more expensive to live in the center.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

It is amazing. Try it.

What places would you recommend visiting in Kosice?

• Lower gate (Dolná brána)

  From the Košice Visitor Centre you make your way firstly to the entrails of the city. The Dolná brána is so named for the underground museum complex with the original gateway of the city and parts of the original town fortifications, which were established in the 2nd half of the 13th century. They were uncovered when the main street called Hlavná street was being reconstructed in 1996. Today, thanks to its unique atmosphere the complex is now a place of exhibitions and the place where the traditional Košice Wine Festival is celebrated in September.

• Gerster House (Gersterov dom)

  The name of this native of Košice will mean nothing to many people, but we might recognise the names of his works from geography lessons. Just a short distance from the exit of the underground museum you can witness the statue of Košice-born engineer Béla Gerster – designer of well-known ship-ways, canals and railways, including the Panama Canal or the Corinth Canal.

• The Shire Hall (Župný Dom)

  One of the typical features of Košice palaces is the placement of a coat-of-arms on their main facing. The coat-of-arms of the former Abov-Turniansky territorial unit from 1558 adorns the Župný Dom building, which served from 1779 as a centre of the unit. Now it is a home to the East Slovak Gallery houses, in addition to premises for art expositions, an exquisite meeting room and the smallest public cinema in Košice.

• City Coat-of-Arms

  As you come out of the Gallery, you enter into a small park. At the front there is a bronze statue of the Košice coat-of-arms – the oldest and first ever municipal coat-of-arms in Europe from 1369. The beautiful angel with heraldic attributes spreads out its angel wings and as the protector holds the Košice coat-of-arms in its hands.

• St. Elisabeth Cathedral

  The symbolism of the city’s patron is evident as soon as you visit St. Elisabeth Cathedral. The construction work of the Cathedral started around 1380. It is the furthest east western-style gothic cathedral in Europe, as well as the biggest temple of worship in Slovakia. It houses the fascinating Altar of St. Elisabeth, a rare gothic double spiral staircase – one of just five of its kind in Europe, the crypt of the leader of the biggest anti-Habsburg uprising in the former Kingdom of Hungary, Francis II Rákóczi, and also a sundial from 1477. The frescos and sculpting are the work of master Štefan, a local artist from the 15th century, which adorn its interior and exterior. Thanks to the fantastic view of the centre, climbing the 60-metre high northern tower is well worth the effort. As you come out of the Cathedral and have a good look at its front facade, maybe you can decipher the riddle as to why this Cathedral is unique to the world.



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• St. Michael Chapel

  The chapel, which can be found a short distance from St. Elisabeth Cathedral, comes from the 14th century. It represents the culmination of the gothic period and it is surprising by its stylish precision, intimacy and harmony. Once it was surrounded by the city cemetery and contained an ossuary. This is why it is devoted to the escort of souls to the other side, Archangel Michael. His statue depicting the judging of the dead souls is placed above the entrance to the chapel.

• St. Urban’s Tower

  The bell-tower that houses the so-called Urban bell blessed by St. Urban - patron saint of winemakers. It is unique because under the porticos there is a lapidarium – gravestones, which are rare examples from the Early Gothic to Baroque art. The 45-metre high tower also contains the only museum of wax figurines in Slovakia.

• Park with musical fountain and carillon

  Every hour on the hour the park resounds with distinctive carillon from the twenty two bells that have adorned the park since 1997. In the summer the singing fountain is added to the musical chorus, lighting up and shooting jets of water to the rhythm of the music.

• State Theatre

  Taking a stroll around the fountain, you will come across the impressive entrance to the National Theatre building designed by architect Adolf Lang. The theatre put on its first performance back in 1899. In addition to the eclectic exterior with Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau elements, visitors will be enthralled by the rippled interior in the shape of a harp, beautiful components of Art Nouveau and scenes on the ceiling from the plays of world-renowned playwright William Shakespeare, created by Peregrin von Gastgeb from Vienna.

• Immaculata (Plague Column)

  Right behind the theatre you can find the Plague Column of the Virgin Mary from 1723 (Immaculata). The column is situated in a small park and commemorates the gratitude to Mother Mary for the end to the epidemic plague from 1709 and 1710. It is a fine example of a Baroque sculpture surrounded by later sculptures of saints and angels. The Legend says that the human remains of St. Valentine are hidden under one of the columns.

• Old Town Hall

  The last stop on this tour takes place in the historic town hall, which was built from 1779 to 1780 and has a distinct Košice coat-of-arms over the balcony. Inside we can find stunning halls and representational premises of the city mayor, with one of them containing an effigy to the first men of the city from 1982. Passing through the courtyard you will come to the former cinema Fórum/Slovan, the reconstructed covered hall of which now serves for concerts and theatrical performances. The Košice Visitor Centre is situated on the ground floor.

Is it good to eat out in Kosice? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

• Budějovická hospoda / Hrnčiarska 25

  The only place to taste the unique Budvar ringed and non-pasteurised lager. The best “12-proof“ beer in town!

• Česká hospoda / Moyzesova 22

  It justly ranks among the best “10-proof” beers in town, with the non-pasteurised Moravian cellar “10-proof” beer tapped into your mug by a compressor just like in the good old times.

• Bar Madrid / Vrátna 30

  Non-pasteurised beers from a small Kaltenecker brewery in Rožňava. The best specialties in the city served by season: Bavarian lager, dark beer Brokát, Marzen, Weizen, Bock, Ale, Indian Pale Ale…

• Pivovar Golem / Dominikánske námestie 15

  Nowadays, the only place where beer is brewed, even if the beer-brewing tradition goes as far back as the 15th century.

Is the nightlife good in Kosice? Where is good to go?

The city is full of energy, easiness and creativity. It can satisfy everybody. No wonder people from the whole region come to the city to have fun. There is a new open Diamond People Club, or the older Ibiza Club, there are also the Exit Club, Jazz Club and Retro Club. It´s easy to find them on facebook and follow the events, there are usually a lot of students parties during the week, and the biggest one is on Wednesdays. Sometimes each university has their own parties.

What advice would you give future students heading to Kosice?

If you are Erasmus students don´t worry, you will pass all of the exams and teacher will be happy that you are here. Just go for it, but it´s not so many oppotunities for studying in Enligsh, depends on which university you are enrolled. You will get enough money (Scholarship) to enjoy the city and travel a lot. Budapest and also some Polish cities are near, or you can visit Ukraine, it depends on what you want.