Košice’s Past Lives – Part 4: Palaces, Executioner’s Flat & City Walls

Head to the small square by Mikluš Prison, where you’ll find a museum well worth your attention. Formed by joining two Gothic townhouses from the 13th and 14th centuries, this majestic—sometimes spine-chilling—building served as Košice’s city jail until 1911. Inside, you’ll find a rare exhibition on historical justice and incarceration, including an original hunger cell and torture chamber.

Another must-see for fans of dark history is the Executioner’s Flat, built above the old castle lane. The entire Mikluš Prison complex belongs to the East Slovak Museum—check their website for more details and explore other impressive historical buildings like the Division Barracks, Rodošto, and the House of Crafts.

Source: www.cassovia.sk

Step into the very heart of the city and uncover the famed medieval fortifications of Košice, built in the late 13th century. Once one of the most important Habsburg strongholds in the Kingdom of Hungary, Košice was surrounded by legendary walls from the Árpád, Luxembourg, and Corvinus dynasties—including the Executioner’s Bastion and the Mill Bastion. Remnants of these fortifications can still be found scattered across the city—and even beneath it.

Did you know that during archaeological work on the Aupark shopping center, parts of the old Košice Citadel were uncovered underground? Today, you can view these historic remains up close in the lower level of the building’s parking garage.

Source: www.kere.sk

Go underground and visit the Lower Gate – Archaeological Museum. This unique site was uncovered in the 1990s during the reconstruction of Hlavná Street and now serves as an in-situ museum built directly on top of the original archaeological findings. What was once a colossal surprise is now an immersive experience, featuring multimedia presentations, 3D archeo-models, and interactive exhibits.

Learn all about medieval urban life in Košice—from its water systems and drainage to military structures—with information available in English, Slovak, and Hungarian.

Enter historic Košice through the blooming City Park, just steps from the train or bus station. As you cross the Bridge of Love, you'll catch sight of a striking Neo-Gothic building that fills many locals with pride. This is the charming Jakab's Palace, designed by architect Peter Jakab in 1899 as a romantic homage to the Gothic style of St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral—he even referred to it as the “Idyll of the Mill Stream.”

Although the palace is not currently open to the public, its exterior can be admired anytime. To explore more of the Jakab family’s legacy, visit other architectural landmarks in Košice, such as the former military barracks (now the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic), the East Slovak Museum, and the original Higher Girls' School—today known as Šrobárova Gymnasium.

The Jakab brothers, along with builder Michal Répászky, brought a new gem to Košice’s architectural landscape—Andrássy Palace on Hlavná Street, built on the site of three medieval townhouses. In the early 20th century, the palace housed a luxurious café with billiard tables, a popular hangout for Košice’s Austro-Hungarian elite. Over the years, the building also served as the Hornád department store, known locally as “Pionier.”

Today, the palace—now a designated national cultural monument—has been home to the beloved Aida pastry shop since the 1990s, a local favorite especially among older generations with a sweet tooth for classic desserts.

Source: flog.pravda.sk

This article offers just a glimpse into Košice’s rich heritage and centuries-old stories. Let yourself be drawn into a mysterious journey through this multicultural city, bursting with captivating museums and unforgettable exhibitions. Click over to the History & Landmarks section to explore more.