Košice citadel, Renaissance citadel in Košice, Slovakia
Košice citadel is a fortress built in the late 1600s with a five-sided layout and five corner bastions. The thick earthen walls remain as impressive evidence of a major military structure from that era.
The fortress was built between 1671 and 1676 under Habsburg rule. Emperor Charles III ordered its demolition in 1713, after which parts of it were torn down.
The citadel's name reflects its role as a military stronghold during Habsburg times. Today visitors can see the exposed wall sections that show how the fortress was woven into the fabric of the modern city.
The citadel remains can be seen in several locations around the city, especially beneath and around the Aupark Shopping Center. It is best to visit during quieter hours when the shopping center is less busy and the archaeological areas are easier to explore.
The planned water moat was never completed, which would have circled the entire structure. This unfinished defensive line shows that the fortress never reached its intended full strength.
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