# Košice

> city in Slovakia

**Wikidata**: [Q25409](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25409)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Košice)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosice

## Summary

Košice is a city in the Košice Region of Slovakia. It was established in 1230[1]. The city has a population of 222,000 as of 2025[2]. Košice covers an area of 242.3 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 214 meters[1][3].

## Summary
Košice is a city in Slovakia and the capital of the Košice Region. It is one of the country's largest cities, with a population of approximately 222,286 as of 2025. The city has a rich multicultural history, having been part of various states including the Kingdom of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Austria-Hungary, and is known for its historical significance and cultural diversity.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Košice is located in the Košice Region of Slovakia in the Košická kotlina (basin), on the river Hornád.
- **Population**: Estimated 222,286 (as of 2025), down from 238,593 in 2019.
- **Area**: 243.73 km² (as of 2025).
- **Founded**: First recorded in 1230, under the name Kassa.
- **Languages**: Official name history includes Košice (since 1945), Kassa (1938–1944), and Kaschau (pre-1867).
- **Administrative status**: Capital of Košice Region since 1996; previously part of various counties and districts including Abaúj-Torna County and Kassa electoral district.
- **Timezone**: Central European Time (CET) and Central European Summer Time (CEST).
- **Coordinates**: 48.7167° N, 21.2500° E.
- **Elevation**: 214 m above sea level, with a range from 193 m to 850 m.
- **Postal code**: 040 00.
- **Phone code**: +421-55 (local: 055).
- **Website**: [kosice.sk](https://www.kosice.sk/) (available in Slovak, English, Hungarian, and German).
- **Social media**: Active on Facebook (kosiceofficial), Instagram (kosice_official), and YouTube (kosiceofficial).
- **YouTube views**: Over 685,000 as of December 2025.
- **Email**: kontakt@kosice.sk
- **Historical names**: Košice, Kaschau, Kassa, Kascha, Cassovie, カッシャ, 高溪樹, Кашша, Кашшо, Кошицы, Кашау, etc.
- **Historical countries**: Part of Slovakia (since 1993), Czechoslovakia, Kingdom of Hungary, Austria–Hungary, Habsburg monarchy, and others.
- **Demonym**: Košičan (masculine), Košičanka (feminine).
- **Notable events**: European Capital of Culture in 2013.
- **Twin cities**: Over 20 cities including Budapest, Saint Petersburg (until 2022), Verona, Wuppertal, and others.
- **Administrative divisions**: Contains Košice I, Košice II, Košice III, and Košice IV.
- **Infrastructure**: Owns Lokomotíva Stadium, Športová hala Stará jazdiareň, Košice football arena, and others.
- **Leadership**: Mayor Jaroslav Polaček (since 2018).
- **Cultural significance**: Featured in multiple encyclopedias including the Encyclopædia Britannica, Treccani, and YIVO Encyclopedia.

## FAQs

### What is the history of Košice?
Košice was first mentioned in 1230 under the name Kassa. It has been part of various states including the Kingdom of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Slovakia. The city has changed names multiple times, including Košice (current), Kassa, and Kaschau. It was part of the Abaúj-Torna County and later Košice-okolie District. The city was also part of the Kassa electoral district until 1918 and the Military District of Kaschau from 1850 to 1860.

### What are the official names and languages of Košice?
The current official name is Košice since 1945. Historical names include Kassa (used from 1938 to 1944) and Kaschau (pre-1867). The city's official website is available in Slovak, English, Hungarian, and German. The city also has a native label "Košice" with IPA pronunciation /ˈkɔʂitse.

### What is the population of Košice?
As of 2025, the population is estimated at 222,286, with 115,997 males and 106,289 females. In 2024, the population was estimated at 223,678, and in 2019, it was 238,593. The 2021 census reported 229,040 residents, with 119,533 females and 109,507 males.

### What are the key geographic and administrative details of Košice?
Košice is located in the Košice Region, which it has been the capital of since 1996. It is in the Košická kotlina and lies on the Hornád river. The city is divided into four administrative units: Košice I, II, III, and IV. The elevation ranges from 193 m to 850 m, with an average of 214 m above sea level.

### What is the significance of Košice in cultural terms?
Košice was named European Capital of Culture in 2013. It has been featured in numerous encyclopedias and cultural databases, including the Encyclopædia Britannica, Treccani, and the YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe. The city also hosts several cultural institutions and has a rich history of multiculturalism.

### What organizations or cities is it connected to?
Košice is twinned with several cities including Budapest, Saint Petersburg (until 2022), Verona, Wuppertal, and others. It is also connected to various cultural and administrative institutions such as the Mestské lesy Košice and City Greenery Administration in Košice.

### What is the administrative structure of Košice?
The city is divided into four administrative units: Košice I, II, III, and IV. It is the capital of the Košice Region and was previously part of the Košice-okolie District. The city's leadership includes Mayor Jaroslav Polaček, who has been in office since 2018.

### What is the significance of Košice's digital presence?
Košice maintains a strong digital presence with its official website, social media accounts, and YouTube channel. The city's YouTube channel has over 685,000 views as of December 2025. The official website is available in multiple languages, and the city has a strong online archive and digital engagement.

### What are the key historical and cultural identifiers of Košice?
Košice has a rich multicultural history, with historical names including Košice, Kassa, and Kaschau. It has been part of various states including the Kingdom of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Slovakia. The city was named European Capital of Culture in 2013 and is featured in multiple encyclopedias and cultural databases.

## Why It Matters
Košice is one of Slovakia's most historically and culturally significant cities. As a former European Capital of Culture, it plays a key role in Slovakia's cultural identity. Its diverse history under various political regimes and its multicultural heritage make it a unique case study in Central European urban development. The city's administrative and infrastructural assets, including its own stadium, green spaces, and digital presence, reflect its modern civic engagement. Košice's role as a regional capital and its extensive twinning relationships also highlight its importance in international cultural exchange.

## Notable For
- Being named European Capital of Culture in 2013.
- Hosting the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, a major Gothic landmark.
- Being the capital of the Košice Region since 1996.
- Having a multicultural history with names like Kassa, Kaschau, and Košice.
- Hosting multiple administrative and cultural institutions.
- Being part of the Košice-okolie District until 1920.
- Having a strong digital presence with a multilingual official website and active social media.
- Being twinned with over 20 cities including Budapest, Saint Petersburg, and Wuppertal.
- Hosting the Košice International Airport and the Košice Region's largest urban center.
- Being a center of Slovak cultural life with a diverse population and rich history.

## Body

### History
Košice has a long and complex history, having been part of various states including the Kingdom of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Austria-Hungary. The city was first mentioned in 1230 under the name Kassa. It has been part of the Abaúj-Torna County and later the Košice-okolie District. The city was also part of the Kassa electoral district until 1918 and the Military District of Kaschau from 1850 to 1860. The city was named European Capital of Culture in 2013.

### Administration and Governance
Košice is the capital of the Košice Region since 1996. It is divided into four administrative units: Košice I, II, III, and IV. The city's leadership includes Mayor Jaroslav Polaček, who has been in office since 2018. The city also owns several administrative and cultural institutions including the Mestské lesy Košice and City Greenery Administration in Košice.

### Geography and Demographics
Košice is located in the Košice Region in the Košická kotlina and lies on the Hornád river. The city's elevation ranges from 193 m to 850 m, with an average of 214 m above sea level. The population is estimated at 222,286 as of 2025, with 115,997 males and 106,289 females. The city's area is 243.73 km² as of 2025.

### Culture and Identity
Košice was named European Capital of Culture in 2013. It has been featured in numerous encyclopedias and cultural databases, including the Encyclopædia Britannica, Treccani, and YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe. The city also hosts several cultural institutions and has a rich history of multiculturalism.

### Digital Presence
Košice maintains a strong digital presence with its official website, social media accounts, and YouTube channel. The city's YouTube channel has over 685,000 views as of December 2025. The official website is available in multiple languages, and the city has a strong online archive and digital engagement.

### International Relations
Košice is twinned with several cities including Budapest, Saint Petersburg (until 2022), Verona, Wuppertal, and others. It is also connected to various cultural and administrative institutions such as the Mestské lesy Košice and City Greenery Administration in Košice.

### Infrastructure and Facilities
The city owns several facilities including the Lokomotíva Stadium, Športová hala Stará jazdiareň, and the Košice football arena. It also has a strong digital presence with a multilingual official website and active social media accounts.

### Language and Identity
The current official name is Košice since 1945. Historical names include Kassa (used from 1938 to 1944) and Kaschau (pre-1867). The city's official website is available in Slovak, English, Hungarian, and German. The city also has a native label "Košice" with IPA pronunciation /ˈkɔʂitse.

### Population and Society
As of 2025, the population is estimated at 222,286, with 115,997 males and 106,289 females. In 2024, the population was estimated at 223,678, and in 2019, it was 238,593. The 2021 census reported 229,040 residents, with 119,533 females and 109,507 males.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Košice has a rich multicultural history, with historical names including Košice, Kassa, and Kaschau. It has been part of various states including the Kingdom of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Slovakia. The city was named European Capital of Culture in 2013 and is featured in multiple encyclopedias and cultural databases. The city also hosts several cultural institutions and has a rich history of multiculturalism.

## References

1. [Marseille and Košice: European Capitals of Culture in 2013. Europa (web portal). 2013](http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1_en.htm)
2. [Marseille a Košice: európske hlavné mestá kultúry 2013. Europa (web portal). 2013](http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1_sk.htm)
3. [Source](https://www.plovdiv.bg/en/about-plovdiv/побратимени-градове/)
4. [Source](https://kvs.gov.spb.ru/en/agreements/)
5. [Source](https://www.tasr.sk/tasr-clanok/TASR:2022031700000104)
6. [Source](http://www.comune.verona.it/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=5485)
7. [Source](https://www.wuppertal.de/tourismus-freizeit/stadtportrait/partnerstaedte/102010100000010321.php)
8. [Source](https://spilkuisia.kr.gov.ua/nadzvychajnyj-ta-povnovazhnyj-posol-cheskoyi-respubliky-v-ukrayini-radek-peh-na-zustrichi-z-golovoyu-rady-oborony-mista-oleksandrom-vilkulom-kryvyj-rig-najbilsh-vazhlyve-misto-ne-lysh/)
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. Vlastivedný slovník obcí na Slovensku
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. [Source](https://www.kosice.sk/kontakt)
13. MusicBrainz
14. The 2021 Population and Housing Census
15. [Počet obyvateľov Košíc za desať rokov klesol o päť percent. 2022](https://www.teraz.sk/regiony/pocet-obyvatelov-kosic-za-desat-ro/606167-clanok.html)
16. Population of Slovakia by gender – SR-area-region-district, cities-rural (annually) [om7102rr]. 2025
17. Q115016773. 2020
18. [Source](https://slovnik.juls.savba.sk/?w=Košičan&s=exact&c=T7ee&cs=&d=kssj4&d=psp&d=sssj&d=orter&d=scs&d=sss&d=peciar&d=hssjV&d=bernolak&d=noundb&d=orient&d=locutio&d=obce&d=priezviska&d=un&d=pskcs&d=psken#)
19. GeoNames
20. BBC Things
21. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-6c6xtf/Ko%C5%A1ice/?zoom=19&center=48.72637%2C21.25043&popup=48.7265%2C21.25075)
22. Population density of Slovakia – SR-area-region-district, cities-rural [om7015rr] : Area (square meter). 2025
23. YouTube API
24. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
25. [Source](https://opendata.kosice.sk/pages/sobase-a-rozvody)
26. [Source](https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMzgzMTEyMDgtMmJmYS00YjE0LTk5YTMtOGNmMDVjNjllOTU2IiwidCI6ImM2ZTZiN2M4LWIzOWMtNGJkOC1hMjE5LTRjZDk0NTdlMGM4ZiIsImMiOjl9&pageName=ReportSection)
27. Name Suggestion Index
28. Mapy.com
29. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
30. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/329d8eff-b7cf-4b44-8285-798c8061ef27)
31. [Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno](https://ipac.svkkl.cz/arl-kl/cs/detail-kl_us_auth-g0001849-Kosice-Slovensko)