Košice, Slovakia Travel Guide 01 02 Fact File Košice 01 Fact File Fact File European Union Slovak Republic: is a country in the heart of Europe, positioned between Eastern and Western European markets. The government of the Slovak Republic set up as a high priority to attract and support the projects and investments which bring high added value, with special focus on R&D and innovation which are crucial for development of the knowledge – based economy. City of Košice: is the second largest Slovakian city with approximately 400 thousand inhabitants. Fact File Slovak Republic • Capital: Bratislava • Language: Slovak • Religion: Roman Catholics (68.9%), nonreligious (13%), then Lutherans (6.9%), Greek Catholics (4.1%), Protestant Reformers (2.0%) and Orthodox Church (0.9%). • Mainland: 49 036 km² • Population: 5,5 million • Government: republic, with parliamentary democracy • Head of government: Prime Minister • Member of the European Union and NATO since mid-2004 • Currency: Euro • Slovakia has been one of the fastest growing economies in Europe Fact File Climate Climate in Slovakia is continental with mild summer and winter temperatures, snow and rain, sun and wind. Although Slovakia is not a large country, the weather can be quite different in the mountains North and in the plain South. Generally, the climate is relatively continental with almost no extremes below minimal -20°C (-4°F) or above maximal +37°C (+99°F). Fact File History of Slovakia Slovakia joined EU in 2004 • 28/10/1918 - Slovak national revival resulted in the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic, the common state of Czechs and Slovaks. • 30/09/1938 - Expansion of German fascism and policy. • 01/09/1939 World War II broke out. Slovak citizens declared their opposition against the fascist Slovak state on 29/08/1944 at nationalliberation fight (SNP - Slovak National Uprising). • 08/05/1945 - World War II ended. Hopes of Slovaks in a democratic state were ended by a communist putsch called 'Victorious February” • In 1968 - the Communist Party tried to revive and reform. Alexander Dubcek became a central personality. The tryout for a socialism with a human face was forcibly ended on 21st Aug 1968. • From 1968 - Soviet occupied Czechoslovakia for more than twenty years. • 17/11/1989 - Totalitarianism and communist dictatorship ended • 01/01/1993 - the Czechs and Slovaks agreed to a peaceful state division • 04/02/2004 - Slovakia's accession to NATO • 05/02/2004 - Slovakia's accession to the EU • 21/12/2007 - Slovakia is becoming part of the Schengen • 01/01/2009 - Slovakia becomes a member of the eurozone 02 Košice 1. Fact File 2. Tourism & Main attractions 3. Ukrainian Community Fact File Košice • The second largest and most significant city in Slovakia • A metropolis of eastern Slovakia • Area: 244 km2 • Number of inhabitants: 240 000 • Ethnical groups: Slovaks, Hungarians, Czechs, Ukrainians, Germans Košice Short video of Kosice • Well preserved and largest historical center in Slovakia • Attractive location and surrounding • Safe place to live in • Ice Hockey 2011 World Championship • IT Valley • Košice has strong industrial background Fact File Location • • • Historical crossroads N-S, E-W Schengen border Close to Hungary, Poland & Ukraine Closed to 3 countries Kosice has great strategic position in terms of travelling Fact File Transport Connections Destination Prague Vienna Bratislava London Budapest By Plane By Train By Car By Bus 4 times a day (1,5 hours) 12 times a day (8,5 hours) 5times a day (9 hours) 7 hours twice a day (55 min) 8 times a day (5,5 hours) 12 times a day (8,5 hours) 5,5 hours twice a day (50 min) each hour (5,5 hours) 14times a day (7,5 hours) 4,5 hours daily (2,5 hours) twice a day (3,5 hours) each hour (2,5 hours) 2,5 hours Prague Examples of destinations reachable from Košice Budapest Vienna Krakow Bratislava Fact File Vision of the city • Cultural, social and economic metropolis • Modern city with future for highly qualified young labor force • Favorable business conditions for technological excellence, high innovative culture • International center of culture and tourism • Healthy and clean environment • Reputation abroad • International cooperation • City of Family, Culture and Innovation St. Elisabeth Cathedral • Industry & Logistics & Employment • Education, Innovations • Electronic Information Services • International Cooperation Fact File Universities • Technical University (15 000 students):Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Metallurgy, Mining, Civil Engineering, Economy, Aeronautics, Faculty of Art, Process Control and Geotechnology. • University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik (7 500 students): Philosophy, Medicine, Nature Science, Law and Public Administration. • University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (1 500 students) • Faculty of Business (branch of University of Economics Bratislava) (400 students) • Safety Management College (3 000 students) University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik Technical University Fact File Research and Develepment in Košice Technology centers: IT Valley Košice Cluster TECHNICOM Košice – Technology Centre for Advanced Innovative Technologies UCITT- University Centre for Innovation, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Protection VUKONZE - Research Centre for efficient integration of the renewable energies The main vision and mission of IT Valley is creation of a regional partnership of IT companies, universities, and self-administration that will contribute to the extension and improvement of quality of educational programs, creation of a broad portfolio of job opportunities for qualified work force and the elaboration of a common strategy necessary for achieving prosperity of the region and the gradual increase of the quality of life of its citizens. Fact File Košice: European Capital of Culture 2013 •− Košice won title European Capital of Culture 2013 that helps to transformate Košice to new cultural infrastructure (design, media, architecture, music and film production, IT technologies, creative tourism). Kulturpark Kuntshalle Opening ceremony Tourism & Main attractions The most beautiful monuments St. Elisabeth It is the furthest east western-style gothic cathedral in Europe, as well as the biggest temple of worship in Slovakia. St. Michael Chapel The chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael, the guide of souls to the other world. Park with musical fountain Stunning neo-baroque building from 19th century. One of the most beautiful monuments of Kosice. Lower Gate The unique archaeological complex of the city fortification from 13th century. Tourism & Main attractions Where to go? Restaurants: LE COLONIAL, Hlavná 8, Košice CAMELOT, Kováčska 19, Košice VIA ROMA, Letná 42, Košice Lujza Restaurant, Dolný bankov 2, Košice Villa Regia, Dominikánske nám.3, Košice . Clubs Jazz Club, Kováčska 39, Košice Piano, Hlavná 92, Košice Irish Pub, Hlavná 92, Košice Retro Cult Club, Kováčska 49, Košice Lujza Restaurant Irish Pub Retro Cult Club Hlavna street Tourism & Main attractions Culture in Košice State Theatre Košice More Theaters: Small stage Theatre Thália Puppet theatre Theatre Cassia Dance Old Town Theatrer East Slovak Gallery More Museums: East Slovak Museum St. Urban Tower Slovak Technical Museum Steel Arena More Music: State Philharmonic Infiniti Aréna Cassosport Jumbo centrum Old Town Hall Tourism & Main attractions Examples of Attractions in Košice Ski resorts Bankov recreation area Hot air ballon flight Children railway Lake area Tourism & Main attractions Sports in Košice Hokey Cycling Golf Swimming Pools Tenis Tourism, main attractions around Kosice: Tourism & Main Attractions Slovak Paradise There are beautiful touristic places near Košice: High Tatras – touristic place + skiing Spis castle Tourism & Main Attractions around Kosice Wine cellars High Tatras Domica cave Bojnice Castle Slovak Traditions Colonia (Uruguay) Useful Links Pocket Guide app PocketGuide, the world’s leading audio city guide application, gives you tours by voice, revealing the best stories, insider hangouts and must-see sights https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hu.pocketguide Costs of Living in Košice Markets Milk (regular), (1 liter) Costs of Living in Košice Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) Restaurants Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course Avg. 5.00 € 20.00 € Avg. 0.78 € 0.73 € Rice (white), (1kg) 1.00 € Eggs (12) 2.43 € Local Cheese (1kg) 6.25 € Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) 5.50 € Apples (1kg) 1.08 € Oranges (1kg) 1.06 € Tomato (1kg) 1.75 € Potato (1kg) 0.55 € Lettuce (1 head) 0.93 € Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.60 € Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar 5.00 € Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 1.10 € Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 1.40 € Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 4.00 € Cappuccino (regular) 1.41 € Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 0.63 € Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 1.28 € Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 0.90 € Water (0.33 liter bottle) 1.10 € Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) 3.35 € Cost of Living in Košice Transportation Avg. One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 0.60 € Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 20.00 € Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) Gasoline (1 liter) 2.00 € 0.50 € 12.00 € 1.56 € Sports And Leisure Avg. Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 28.00 € Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 5.15 € Clothing And Shoes 7.50 € Avg. 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 44.00 € 1 Pair of Nike Shoes 61.67 € 20.00 €