Ruins of fortification, based on the narrow top of the rock massif Hradova in the Hornádské foothills of Čierna hora, belonging to the suburban zone of Košice
The castle has been preserved parts of the fortifications, the remains of a cylindrical tower and a tower with a triangular ground plan. The castle was probably never completed. The length of the castle should be up to 600m. Up to the present day there are sections of walls that do not continue even in the probes below the surface. The core of the castle should be located on the highest northern part. The upper castle is delimited from the southwest by a narrow rock barrier that replaced the wall.There is a lookout tower near the castle.
- 1 - round watchtower
- 2 - defensive wall
- 3 - triangular bastion
Košice Castle hardly appears in medieval written sources, and if so, there are only indirect mentions of it. Sometimes the castle is incorrectly identified with Sokoľ Castle. However, it is undoubtedly another high medieval castle in the cadastre of the village of the same name. Others identified it with the territory referred to in medieval written sources as Horné Košice. Even here, however, it is rather a different area, located between the medieval town and the foot of the hill Hradová. However, it is also questionable whether it was a castle at all and whether it was not just an unsuccessful attempt to build a castle.
The castle was probably built by the palatine Omodej from the Abov family at the time of his resistance against the accession of Karol Róbert to the Hungarian throne. It was probably a fortress and its construction is expected before 1307. In 1430 it became the property of the city of Košice, since then it has been deserted. Today, only from the configuration of the terrain and architectural remains, it can be concluded that the high narrow ridge of the rock massif was incorporated into the area. The castle was more of a fortress, which with its 3.8 m thick walls, despite its inability, could serve its purpose, but it could also be a refuge, which arose after 1242 due to fears of the return of the Mongols.
In any case, the construction was not completed or was abandoned very quickly.
There are no myths available.
The ruins are freely accessible