Discover Košice’s museums and galleries full of unique atmosphere

The East Slovak Gallery is the oldest regional gallery in Slovakia, and for decades, its rich program has showcased the beauty of visual art. You'll find both emerging and well-known artists here, with exhibits spanning from classic to contemporary art. Dive into Košice's art history and plan a visit after a nice brunch—explore the gallery’s modern spaces on Hlavná Street or visit the exhibition halls next to St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral at Alžbetina 22.

Browse through the gallery’s collection of over 7,000 artworks, wander into the newly opened modern library with a specialized selection, join events on topics like urbanism, ecology, and climate, or try out an experimental workshop for adults or a Creative Labyrinth workshop for families!

Dive into the heart of city history, regional culture, crafts, and natural exhibits! Welcome to the East Slovak Museum, a favorite among locals and visitors alike for decades. And it’s no wonder—within its walls lies a mysterious legend–the Košice Gold Treasure. This intriguing collection has drawn curious eyes since 1935. Step behind the heavy vault doors to see 2,920 coins, three gold medals, and a Renaissance chain.

The museum’s rich offerings start in the Historic Building at Peace Marathon Square. Head across the street to the Division Building for an aesthetic experience—wander through centuries of art and craftsmanship, or explore the natural history exhibit, Nature of the Carpathians, showcasing the diverse plants, animals, and minerals of the Carpathian region. The exhibit even includes tactile elements for blind and visually impaired visitors.

For more experiences, head to the mysterious Mikluš Prison filled with torture devices, where you can also check out the executioner's apartment, the Crafts House, and the Executioner's Bastion. Don't miss the Wooden Church from Kožuchovce in the courtyard of the Historic Building—its pieces were transported to Košice over an eight-hour journey! Be sure to take a look at the enchanting Tsar's doors and the large icons of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the infant Jesus.

Explosions, magnetic phenomena, mind-bending puzzles, and electricity await you at the Slovak Technical Museum right on Hlavná Street. Get drawn into the core of physical phenomena that will challenge even the littlest visitors. Lose track of time and have fun solving puzzles in the Science and Technology Center or the Hall of Electric Discharges, where you can experience a genuine electric shock inside a real Faraday cage!

Along with the puzzles, the museum also features permanent exhibits on metallurgy, including a replica mine right below the ground floor, and a fantastic planetarium upstairs. Discover the mythological stories of stars in both the winter and summer skies, or take a close look at mining machines like a bucket loader, a working scraper winch, and a one-arm drilling machine. All of this is set against a backdrop of recorded work noise from 1957!

When visiting the city, don’t miss the Aviation Museum, where you can get up close to a government aircraft and its cockpit, as well as military planes, helicopters, an interceptor, and a bomber. You'll also enjoy a nostalgic experience in two hangars filled with vintage bicycles, motorcycles, and both passenger and cargo cars. The museum is located on the outskirts of the city in Barca, right next to Košice International Airport, and it's easily accessible by public transport.

At the Vojtech Löffler Museum on Alžbetina Street, you'll find an impressive permanent exhibition featuring various authors, local artists, and representatives of folk pottery and ceramics, all collected by Vojtech Löffler himself. The exhibition also includes a library and a memorial room dedicated to the Löffler family, where visitors can feel a more personal connection with the artist and his magnificent work.

As part of its rich exhibition program, the museum also showcases the work of the younger artistic generation. Fans of contemporary art and emerging artists can look forward to stylish exhibitions by up-and-coming creators that regularly take place in the museum space. The courtyard is especially magical, offering interesting talks on ongoing projects, intimate concerts, and art workshops for both adults and kids. With nearly 30 years of tradition, this museum is a vital part of Košice’s cultural foundation.

Well, modernists know what’s what. We're talking about the world-famous writer who brought not only his timeless novels but also his hometown, Košice, into the international literary spotlight. Take a seat in front of his impressive statue at the corner of Mäsiarska and Zbrojničná streets, or get to know the author more intimately at the Sándor Márai Memorial Exhibition on Mäsiarska Street.

Here, you can see the spaces where this literary giant lived and created, along with his manuscripts, photographs, and other personal items. The unique biographical exhibition is enriched by Márai's quotes, which present his life and work both chronologically and thematically.

The story of Márai’s life is further illustrated by the experiences of his wife, Lola, and his younger brother, Géza Radványi. You can connect with their stories through audio recordings during the exhibition. The touching poetry in the works of this esteemed author will grab your attention right from the short excerpts of his creations!