Things to see and do Košice

Housed in the Muza hotel-restaurant, the Mihal Gallery is a unique project that seeks to showcase the life and work of world-renowned artist Andy Warhol in an interesting way. Among the twenty-five works is the famous, oft-reproduced painting of Marilyn Monroe, but this one is an unpublished work that Warhol created by hand. It's the most precious work to be seen in the country by this pop-art icon, originally from Eastern Slovakia.

The region's largest gallery hosts exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art, as well as symposia. Housed in the former county seat of Košice, the classical architecture creates an interesting dialogue with the most contemporary works. In April 1945, the first Czechoslovak government met here, during the few weeks when Košice was the capital of the new Republic proclaimed after the fall of Nazism.

In the centre of the central square, a statue of the Immaculate Virgin is enthroned on a high column and displays its slightly overloaded baroque coquetries. The statue was erected in 1720-1723 in gratitude for the Virgin who would have delivered the city from the plague epidemic of 1709-1710. It takes its present appearance from its restoration in 1909, when the sculptures of many saints were added to the building, including the angel Saint Gabriel and the archangel Saint Michael.

The Singing Fountain is located between the State Theatre and St. Elizabeth Cathedral. Inaugurated on ¹ May 1986, it is the oldest Singing Fountain in the former Czechoslovakia. It was founded with the support of former mayor Rudolf Schuster, who later became president of Slovakia. In the heart of a park ideal for relaxing and taking a short break when visiting the city, this fountain starts to sing and the lighting of the water jets turns to the rhythm of the music.

In the heart of Košice's central square, it stands out with its gallery bell tower, polychrome roof, north door decorated with a bas-relief illustrating the Last Judgment and the life of St. Elizabeth. Attention should also be paid to the Gothic frescoes, the sculptures of the 15th century master Štefan, not to mention the altarpieces with shutters. It is also famous for its 1477 sundial, and its amazing gargoyle depicting a drunk woman with a glass in her hand.