Tornaľa (pronunciationⓘ; formerly Šafárikovo, Hungarian: Tornalja) is a town and municipality in Revúca District in the Banská Bystrica Region of Slovakia, with a population of approximately 7,000.
History
The first written record of the settlement dates back from 1245. The town was located in the Kingdom of Hungary until the second half of the 19th century. During the periods 1554 - 1593 and 1596 - 1686, Tornaľa was ruled by the Ottoman Empire as part of Filek sanjak with its centre in Rimaszombat). Before the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918, Tornaľa was part of Gömör and Kishont County within the Kingdom of Hungary. From 1938 to 1944, it was again part of Hungary as a result of the First Vienna Award. On 19 December 1944, Soviet troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front entered Tornaľa. It became part of Czechoslovakia once again.
Geography
The municipality lies at an altitude of 182 metres (597 ft) and covers an area of 57.76 km2 (22.30 sq mi) (). It is located in the historical Gemer region and lies on the Slaná river.
Population
It has a population of 6646 people (31 December 2025).
Ethnicity
In year 2021 was 6971 people by ethnicity 4343 as Hungarian, 2318 as Slovak, 583 as Not found out, 414 as Romani, 30 as Czech, 15 as Other, 10 as Chinese, 10 as Ukrainian, 6 as Bulgarian, 5 as Russian, 4 as Polish, 3 as French, 3 as English, 2 as German, 1 as Jewish, 1 as Austrian, 1 as Canadian and 1 as Croatian.
Note on population: The difference values of population numbers in the table "Population statistic" and in the sections "Ethnicity" & "Religion" is caused by the use of various statistical methods.
Religion
In year 2021 was 6971 people by religion 2541 from Roman Catholic Church, 2219 from None, 1012 from Calvinist Church, 493 from Not found out, 424 from Evangelical Church, 111 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 81 from Greek Catholic Church, 16 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 15 from Other, 11 from United Methodist Church, 9 from Old Catholic Church, 8 from Jewish community, 8 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 7 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 4 from Paganism and natural spirituality, 4 from Hinduism, 4 from Buddhism, 2 from Ad hoc movements, 1 from Czechoslovak Hussite Church and 1 from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Notable people
Twin towns — sister cities
Tornaľa is twinned with: