The Oldest Opal Mines in the World – and the Only Ones in Eurasia

Just a 30-minute drive from Košice lies a sprawling network of underground tunnels stretching for dozens of kilometers. Opal was mined here from pre-Roman times all the way to the early 20th century. On the guided tour, you’ll learn about the history and mining techniques, but you’ll also hear thrilling stories and legends connected to this mysterious place. Visitors can choose between a one-hour tour or an adventurous four-hour route deep into the mine. This site is a true world rarity – don’t miss it!

Roma Street Food Near the Opal Mines

After your underground adventure, refuel at the local Roma food truck. Try iconic specialties such as goja, marikľe, or their famously tender ribs. It’s the most delicious way to experience Roma culture.

Strike It Rich in a Gold Mine

If you don’t feel like traveling to California — and you’ve already missed the Klondike Gold Rush — no worries. You can try real gold panning in the village called Zlatá Baňa (“Golden Mine”), about 30 minutes from Košice. A former mayor and passionate local enthusiast Dušan Demčák will teach you the technique, and whatever gold you find… you get to keep! Call him: +421 910 507 748

Authentic Slovakia

To see how our ancestors lived, dressed, and celebrated, head to the village of Zamutov and visit the charming rural museum U Cetky. The owners, Štefan and Anna Višňovský, have dedicated their lives to preserving Slovak folklore and traditional folk culture. With warmth and passion, they will guide you through the colorful world of local customs, costumes, and everyday life from the past. We recommend this place 10/10!

Lakeside Sauna at Sigord

If you’re exploring the region in winter, end your day in the romantic outdoor sauna by Lake Sigord. Low price, maximum experience! You book the sauna online, a local caretaker heats it up before you arrive, and you simply show up to a perfectly warmed retreat. The cooling? Directly in the lake. An unforgettable experience!

Gallery:

Realizované s finančnou podporou Ministerstva cestovného ruchu a športu SR
With the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Slovak Republic.

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How did it all start?

At the beginning of the 13th century, the Mongol horde galloped into Europe, leaving no survivors. A large part of Central and Eastern Europe remained destroyed and depopulated. Therefore, the Hungarian king Belo IV. decided to revive these areas and invited settlers from all around Europe. Most often, they were German miners and builders, but also Italians who, besides trading also excelled in viticulture. It didn’t take long before they found out that the conditions for growing wine in the Tokaj region are excellent…

What makes Tokaj so unique?

• It is located on a volcanic, tufa subsoil that drains water well and at the same time retains and accumulates heat, which is excellent for the vines.
• Thanks to the unique climate – there are short morning fogs in autumn, which help the growth of the noble rot Botrytis cinerea. It attacks the grape berries, which slowly dry up and shrink, due to which the concentration of sugar in them increases. These berries are used in the production of legendary sweet Azsú wines (wine of kings king of wines).
• Wines are stored in ancient cellars, many of which were dug as far back as the 13th century, as a shelter from the Mongol invaders. People later discovered that if you store wine in them, it achieves exceptional qualities. The reason is – wine cellar fungus Cladosporium cellare. It lives on wine vapors and in return helps to maintain ideal humidity and temperature in the cellars.

Tokaj are not only sweet wines!

One of the most common mistakes that people associate with Tokaj is that Tokaj wines are sweet. However, that is no longer the case. Besides traditional sweet wines, you can also find fantastic dry wines, sparkling wines, orange wines, and straw wines. You have a lot to discover here!

Tokaj wine tasting from Košice

If you want to get to know Tokaj, we will be happy to take you there. We most often cooperate with small, family winemakers from Veľká Trňa. In addition to great wines, you will get to know their personal stories, visit old cellars, and experience the unique atmosphere. Tokaj wine tasting from Košice is the best thing you can do especially on rainy days, when you have nothing to do.

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Oh, I don’t want to brag, but not every city can boast of this. We are simply the perfect location for day trips. We have everything from caves, medieval frescoes, wooden churches to castles and ancient forests. Here are some tips:

Spiš Castle

Perched proudly atop a rugged hill in eastern Slovakia, Spiš Castle beckons with its ancient charm and rich history. Over 800 years old, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into medieval life with its grand walls and sweeping views. Explore its winding corridors and Gothic architecture, and marvel at the scenic beauty of the Spiš region from its lofty ramparts. Spiš Castle is more than just a relic; it’s a timeless adventure waiting to unfold. Come discover the magic of this historic gem and let its stories enchant you.

Tokaj wines

Tokaj wines, hailing from the Tokaj wine region, are renowned for their unique character and exceptional quality, making them truly special in the world of wine. What sets Tokaj wines apart is their traditional production method, which involves the use of noble rot, or botrytis cinerea, a beneficial fungus that shrivels the grapes and concentrates their sugars and flavors.

 Medieval frescos in Žehra

The interior of the Church of the Holy Spirit is decorated with medieval wall paintings that have been preserved to this day. The paintings have a high artistic value and reveal a master who was based on Italian painting, but also knew elements of Byzantine art. Every detail and object of the fresco has multiple theological meanings and it is fascinating to study them.

Bardejov

If you are searching for a calm and wonderful historical town, you´ve just found it. Bardejov offers numerous historical buildings, a famous spa, an outdoor historical museum, and beautiful nature.

Krásnohorská jaskyňa

If you are looking for a cave off the beaten track, visit the Krásnohorská cave in the Slovak Karst National Park. It is full of beauty, adventure, and obstacles. Sporty types will love it.

The full map of UNESCO sites is right here.

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Let’s start with the 1900s. Košice was a small, diverse town with around 50,000 residents. At that time, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hungarian was the dominant language, but Slovak, German, and Yiddish were also commonly spoken.

Democratic Czechoslovakia (1918)

The first significant change came at the end of the First World War. As Austria-Hungary disintegrated, Košice became part of democratic Czechoslovakia in 1918. Czechs and Slovaks are linguistically and culturally close, so they decided to establish a common state. Additionally, they had significant electoral power, which allowed them to outvote minority groups, particularly Germans and Hungarians.

If you live in Košice, you don’t have to travel at all. Every other day you live in a different country or political regime.
my grandparents

Slovak Soviet Republic (1919)

Fortunately, this socialist experiment lasted just under a month, from June 16, 1919, to July 7, 1919. It marked the first attempt to introduce communist ideals to Košice. However, after its failure, Košice rejoined democratic Czechoslovakia.

Kingdom of Hungary (1938)

The outbreak of the Second World War reshaped the map once again. While the Czech lands were invaded by the Nazis, Slovakia became a collaborating Nazi state, and Košice was once more under Hungarian control. This situation persisted until 1945. By the end of World War II, Slovakia stood on the winning side, owing to the Slovak National Uprising against the Nazis in 1944. It stood as the second most significant revolt against the Nazis in Europe, following Yugoslavia. Subsequently, Košice reintegrated into democratic Czechoslovakia.

Communist Czechoslovakia (1948)

In 1948, the communist party emerged victorious in democratic elections in the Czech lands and swiftly seized control over Czechoslovakia. Democracy and freedom were dismantled by the comrades with alarming speed. The populace lived in fear and suspicion, as numerous secret agents reported on perceived “enemies of communism”. This dreadful social experiment slowly destroyed the country’s economy and disintegrated trust among its people for generations to come. Attempts by Czechoslovakia to introduce democratic reforms in the 1960s were brutally halted by a Russian military invasion in 1968.

Democratic Czechoslovakia (1989)

By the late 1980s, communist regimes across the board began to collapse. The Velvet Revolution in 1989 marked Košice’s return to the civilized world, as democratic Czechoslovakia was restored once again.

Unsuccessful petition for separation of Košice (1992)

Proud citizens of Košice were not enthusiastic about the coming Czechoslovak divorce. Rather than being part of Slovakia, many felt it would be preferable to establish Košice as a city-state. A group of intellectuals centered around the magazine Domino-fórum initiated a petition advocating for separation. However, the project ultimately did not succeed.

A divorce with Czechs – creation of democratic Slovakia (1993)

In 1993, Czech and Slovak people peacefully decided to part ways and establish their independent states. In January of that year, the democratic Slovak Republic was formed.

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Isolation leading to diversity

Slovakia is characterized by its hard terrain, full of canyons, dense forests, mountains, and challenging landscapes. This geographical character resulted in the fact that many villages were very isolated. Many of them did not interact with each other so often. However, this isolation led to an incredibly diverse tapestry of folklore, music, and dialects. Despite being mere kilometers apart, neighboring villages often had distinct songs, attire, and customs. Those who are into folklore are amazed by this wealth of Slovak cultural diversity.

Listen up!

The Eden of Slovak folklore and traditions – Music Festival Východná

If you’re eager to immerse yourself in Slovak folklore music, don’t miss out on the largest festival of its kind. Held in July beneath the Tatra mountains, in the charming village of Východná, this event promises breathtaking music, vibrant folklore, cherished traditions, lovely women, and robust men.

Spend your money wisely

If you want to bring an original souvenir from Slovakia don´t waste your budget on kitsch. If you are into authentic and valuable souvenirs, either buy from Úľuv – an organization uniting traditional producers or find your craftsmen. My advice: Buy either koncovka which is a Slovak duct-blown overtone fipple flute or if you have extra budget, go for fujara – a sophisticated folk shepherd’s overtone fipple flute of unique design in the contrabass range. As you can see, you can use both freely – in any music.

If you want to know more about Slovak folklore and traditions, contact us and we can discuss it on a guided tour of Košice or a tailor-made trip around Slovakia.

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