The shared history of thecity and its surrounding forests has lasted almost seven centuries. The surrounding forests have played an important role in the lives of Košice's inhabitants, especially due to the forests' potential economic benefits. In the past, they were mainly a source of wood as raw material used in the construction of dwellings, in the production of tools, and for heating. Wild fruits and animals played an important part in people’s subsistence. Later on, the forests became a prerequisite for the development of mining, crafts, and metal processing. Apart from providing economic benefit, since the beginning of the 18th century the picturesque forest surroundings have also provided city inhabitants with rich opportunities for relaxation and recreation. .........more information about the history of Košice's forests.
In 1992 in accordance with Act No. 306/1992 of Coll, the city of Košice became owner of the Košice's forest property, after 40 years of the forests' use by the state.
The history of Mestské lesy Košice a.s., incorporated by the city of Košice, dates from 13 May 1993 when the company was established by a founding charter. On 28 May 1993 the company was listed in the commercial registry as a company limited by guarantee.
At the time of its establishment the company's organisational structure included: its headquarters, 3 forest districts (Sokoľ, Čermeľ, and Opátka) and a dispatch warehouse in Košice. As the transfer of forest lands continued, the Malá Lodina Forest District, the Malá Lodina Handling and Dispatch Centre, the Kojšov Forest District, and a Transportand Repair Centre Košice were added to the company on 1 January 1994.
On 1 January 2005, in order to strengthen the company’s business, legal and capital position, the company was transformed in to Mestské lesy Košice a.s., with Košice being its only shareholder.
The history of Košice has been closely linked tothe extensive forests around it. The oldest references to the ownership of forest lands around the city date from the 13th century. For many years the economic use of these forests was connected with mining and metallurgy, practiced in the region of Košice. Košice's forest lands became the largest piece of city property in the Hungarian Kingdom. With its area of 19,432 ha, it is currently the second largest piece of forest property in Central Europe.
