The historic center of this eastern Slovakian city came alive thanks to a unique event that commemorated one of the most lavish celebrations of that era—the wedding of Transylvanian Prince Gábor Bethlen and Catherine of Brandenburg. The event, part of the October Taste Košice food festival, drew crowds of curious onlookers to the streets. Such events and festivals are attracting an increasing number of visitors eager to experience the region’s culture and history firsthand.
The Wedding That Had the Entire Continent Talking
This event, which took place 400 years ago, was far from an ordinary local celebration. The presence of envoys from many European monarchs made it clear that this was not merely a private union.
The wedding carried strong political implications and served as a striking demonstration of Betlen’s power, his immense wealth, and his international ambitions. For several days, the attention of political courts across Europe was focused on Košice and the historic Levoča House.
A Rich Program and a Historical Parade Through the Streets
This year’s reenactment offered visitors a full-day program packed with activities. The main street was filled with music, historical costumes, and crafts.
- Historical procession: A large historical procession made its way through the city, featuring exact replicas of 17th-century costumes.
- Stage ceremony: Visitors watched a reenactment of the wedding ceremony itself.
- Jewelry Exhibition: An exhibition of Catherine of Brandenburg’s silver treasure and wedding jewelry opened in the historic cellar of the Levoča House.
The program also included the presentation of a new book detailing the history of the Levoča House. To mark the occasion, the East Slovak Museum in Košice issued a special commemorative euro banknote celebrating the 400th anniversary. The celebrations concluded with the traditional Betlen bonfires.
Details of the historical celebrations are provided in a report by the SME portal. The organizers believe that the successful reenactment will lay the foundation for a new city tradition that will serve as an annual reminder of the region’s rich past.
