Slovakia - Eastern Europe - page 642

intricate system of medieval fortifications, town walls, bastions, and even sewage sys-
tems, now buried underground, going all the way back to the late Middle Ages.
Hlavná ulica. & 055/622-8393. Tues-Sun 10am-6pm.
East Slovakia Museum (Vychodoslovenské múzeum) Primarily of interest
for the massive collection of gold coins, around 3,000 or so, that were originally
minted in Kremnica from the 15th to the 17th century. The coins were hidden dur-
ing raids on the city in the 17th century and were only discovered in 1935.
Hviezdoslavova 3. & 055/622-0309. Tues-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 9am-1pm.
SHOPPING
If you've been looking for a special wine store that carries the best Slovak wines, try
Cabinet (Pri Miklusovej vaznici 2; & 055/622 - 5566; www.vinotekacabinet.sk). The
knowledgeable wine merchants there can guide you through the plonk to some very
nice bottles. For something different, try to the 2005 cabernet sauvignon rosé, a recent
gold-medal winner at an international wine competition in Brussels.
AFTER DARK
Ko s ice, as the capital of the Eastern Slovak region, is a cultural center, and maintains
an excellent program of music, theater, and the performing arts. Spring and fall tend
to be the liveliest times of the year and an annual musical festival is held in May. For
culture of the cocktails, clubbing, and carousing variety, the center of the action is
Ková c ska ulica, which runs parallel to the main square.
Cosmopolitan Maybe a notch or two above the competition if you're looking
for something a little quieter and more sophisticated. The cocktails here are probably
the best in town, and you might even catch a special event, like a champagne tasting
or something similar. Kovácska 9. & 055/625 - 8419.
Jazz Club Still going strong after several years as Ko s ice's leading music club. Don't
expect much jazz here, despite the name. Disco, techno, pop, and slop are the genres
of choice. Also includes an affiliated cocktail bar and decent pizza restaurant. This
place can get very crowded on a weekend evening. Kovácska 39. & 0907/103 - 700.
Státné Divadlo Kosice The center of cultural life for Eastern Slovakia, with
an active theater, ballet, and opera repertoire 9 months out of the year (the theater
largely shuts down during summer). Tickets are available at the box office. Even if you
don't see a performance, stop by to admire the handsome turn-of-the-20th-century
building, one of the finest concert halls in central Europe. Hlavná 58. & 055/622 - 1231.
www.skke.sk.