HOTEL SLAVIA*** KOSICE

 

 

Located in the historical heart of Košice, this impressively preserved building which now houses a hotel and a café has a rich history and is ranked among the first architectures with expressive Art Noveau orientation from the first part of the 20th century. Architectural and historical development of this building can be observed since 1480. According to results of historical monuments research, there have been four development stages to be noted. The first stage with its well preserved fragments of cellar areas shows evidence of its existence in medieval times. As it results from tax rolls, from 1480 to the first quarter of the 18th century the building belonged to rich townsmen, craftsmen, and merchants. The house description dated from 1767 states that there were 7 rooms, 4 kitchens, 2 pantries in the house together with 2 stables for 16 heads of cattle.

 

The second architectural – historical stage presents extensive construction activities after a fire in 1700. The third stage represents the most dramatic changes to the material and substance of the main building.This was caused by fire of 1841 which presumably damaged the building considerably. In the 19th century, Ján Briský, a descendant of The Sooso’s , sold the house to a famous hotel- keeper Jozef Schifbeck. He made some minor changes to the house and the building was soon converted into the well – known Schifbeck’s Hotel which was at that time up to standard of modern luxurious hotel and included a restaurant with excellent cuisine, café, and a great beer-parlour.

 

The fourth stage begins in 1900 when the owners changed and the hotel was taken over by Konštantín Bauernebl. He had the hotel demolished and in 1902 completed construction of a manor house in the most glamorous secessionist style ever built in Košice.. Its facade was decorated with floral motives.The most fascinating are mosaics made of colourful tiles presenting various fauna, e.g.a rabbit on the left, and a rooster on the right. The rabbit symbolizes skills and cunningness.The rooster stands for diligence, early morning waking up, and strength. A kneeling man ladling out dark liquid is Baurnebel himself. He set up an ostentatious café on the ground floor with two floors of flats above. The café was originally called Savoy, later Royal. However, secession as the last architectonic style with dominant decorations is not just floral ornaments and mosaic on facades, but also similar motives inside. They reappeared after the reconstruction in the 90’s of the last century.It happended after the socialism that did not mind placing a textile shop in such a high – standard building. Shortly after that a casino opened . Nowadays, this preserved building is again what it used to be .After the completed reconstruction that regained it its original function, it is one of the prestigious hotels of Košice offering luxury and comfort to its guests.