You probably already heard of Košice in 2013 when it was awarded European Capital of Culture alongside the french city of Marseilles. Beyond giving an international celebrity to the second-largest city in Slovakia, this award opened a constructive debate on the place of culture in the city.
In terms of culture, the city is also famous for its architectural patrimony in its protected historical center. When you walk in this fully pedestrianized district, you can witness various buildings that mix gothic, baroque, and art nouveau architecture. Made pedestrian-friendly as soon as 1986, the main street Hlavná turned into a vast enjoyable square where you can take a refreshing break at the “musical fountain”.
The city is also a pioneer in the rehabilitation of wastelands. A disused tobacco factory has become a cultural center with a regional vocation. A modernist indoor swimming pool transformed into an art gallery, and the military barracks grew into artist’s residences, museums, and a media library.
