Tradition since 1703
The roots of organized tourism in Bankov and the Hotel Bankov date back to 1703 when the town of Košice constructed its first building of wood and soil rolls by the springs of healing iron-sulphuric water. A year later, it was demolished by Rákoczi´s troops led by general Simon Forgács during the anti- Habsburg uprising. The town did not have enough money to reconstruct the spa so the Town Council allowed Ján Pintér to build a new house there in 1705. The old legend says that the hotel and the whole area are named after the pilgrim Bankó whom the curing water helped to heal his sore eyes in 1630. The place near the springs was often visited by many pilgrims and the chapel (St.Cross) was built there in 1765. Another version says that originally the name Bankov is based on the old Slavonic name ´banka´, i.e. a hole in the soil used for bathing. When the chemical analysis of the water (realized by Jozef Kis-Vitzay, a physician in 1795) showed only weak healing affects, the place changed to a popular trip place – a climate spa for wealthy citizens, nobles, church clerks, pilgrims and scouts. It does not matter what the truth is, fresh and clean air, relaxing woods and peace around the old Spišská Road still attracts many tourists, runners and cyclists at weekends.
Communists replaced priests
Bankov teached its peak in the second half of the 19th century. Construction of Hotel Bankov began in 1867. Made it by achitects Michael Répaszký (1833-1909)and Peter Jakab (1834-1903). Hotel with 22 rooms, spa rooms and the restaurant was officially handed over to the use on 22nd April 1869.
There was a dance hall and summer dining room built opposite the hotel in 1891. At that time the spa was famous for its delicious cuisine and gypsy musicians. Wealthy people erected their summer houses and luxurious mansions nearby. Two of them have still remained, another one is the base for present swimming pool.
Peter Jakab (1834-1903)
Master builder of Hotel Bankov
St. Cross Chapel became the central connecting part of a new hotel, the masses were held there for 30 years on the 29th June (St.Peter and Paul´s Day). The masses were performed for the religious people traveling via Bankov to Levoča. The worship was definitely stopped in 1949 when communists established a political school there and the equipment was demolished. As the free spirit of entrepreneurship and social life was leaving Bankov, the hotel was being changed too. From the luxurious hotel for middle and high classes, it turned into an ordinary city restaurant and pub for poorer people and cheap love affairs at the end of the socialism.
A New Dream
The reconstruction of historic buildings 1994- 1996 gave to Hotel Bankov a new modern design. To its authors, architects Martin Drahovsky, Peter Pásztori and their contributor Paul Simko it brought success by Jurkovič price and title Building of 1997. Hotel went through last partial reconstruction in 2007, when it gained 10 new elegant attic rooms so its capacity was increased to 70 beds.