Well hidden among the communist era apartment blocks of Kosice, you will find a beautiful historic heart in the second largest city of Slovakia. The main street, Hlavne Namestie, is an axis that cuts through the medieval centre from north to south, clustering churches, shops, restaurants and theaters.
A tiny canal in the middle of the street divides and creates more space as well as it connects both sides through little bridges. On both sides of the canal, old tram tracks are left. Next to the tracks, there are biking lanes, well used by bicyclists and skaters. Between the biking lane and the facade of the old but renovated buildings along Hlavne Namestie, a huge space is left for pedestrians and outdoor seating of cafes and restaurants.
The difference in material of the different areas of the street clarifies the separation of functions. Between the tracks next to the canal, cobble stones are laid out while the bike lanes have a plane surface and the pedestrian area is covered with large, grey tiles.
Sight lines are also strengthened on Hlavne Namestie. The canal for example runs straight to the theatre building, standing in the middle of Hlavne Namestie. A row of trees and benches in the pedestrian area divides it in a part for outdoor seating and for strolling along shops.
Clearly, this design fits Kosice. Hlavne Namestie has a cosy, vivid atmosphere, with many inhabitants strolling around, sitting on benches or drinking beer on one of the outdoor seatings. Also, Kosice is going to be the European Capital of Culture in 2013 together with Marseille, so the city is definitively worth a visit.
