Šaľa
Municipality in Nitra Region, Slovakia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Šaľa (Slovak: [ˈʃaʎa], locally [ˈʃala] ⓘ; Hungarian: Vágsellye, German: Schelle) is a town in Šaľa District within Nitra Region in south-western Slovakia.
Šaľa
Vágsellye | |
|---|---|
Castle in the town | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Šaľa Location of Šaľa in the Nitra Region  Šaľa Location of Šaľa in Slovakia | |
| Coordinates: 48.15°N 17.88°E | |
| Country |  Slovakia |
| Region |  Nitra Region |
| District | Šaľa District |
| First mentioned | 1002 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mgr. Jozef Belický |
| Area | |
• Total | 44.96 km2 (17.36 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 116 m (381 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 19,534 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 927 01[2] |
| Area code | +421 31[2] |
| Vehicle registration plate (until 2022) | SA |
| Website | sala |
Geography
The municipality lies at an altitude of 116 metres (381 ft)[2] and covers an area of 44.96 km2 (17.36 sq mi) (2025).[4]
Šaľa is located on the Danubian Lowland on both banks of the Váh River, around 65 km from Bratislava and 30 km from Nové Zámky. Besides the town itself, it also includes the settlements of Hetméň and Veča on the left and right banks of the river respectively. The town lies in the humid continental climactic zone.[5]
History
Šaľa was first mentioned in 1002 in a document of Pannonhalma Abbey. It was promoted into a market town in 1536. Šaľa was also ruled by Ottomans between 1663 and 1686 as part of Uyvar Eyalet. The railway, built in 1850 between Vienna and Budapest speeded development in Šaľa. After 1918, the town became part of Czechoslovakia, however belonging for a short time between 1938 and 1945 again to Hungary before being returned to Czechoslovakia again. Šaľa became part of Slovakia on 1 January 1993 when Czechoslovakia was formally dissolved.
Population
| Year | 1995 | 2005 | 2015 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | 25,291 | 24,438 | 22,714 | 19,534 |
| Difference | −3.37% | −7.05% | −14.00% |
| Year | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Count | 19,934 | 19,534 |
| Difference | −2.00% |
It has a population of 19,534 people (31 December 2025).[9]
Ethnicity
In year 2021 was 21,183 people by ethnicity 16,879 as Slovak, 3055 as Hungarian, 1539 as Not found out, 168 as Czech, 64 as Other, 63 as Romani, 39 as Russian, 28 as Ukrainian, 27 as Chinese, 19 as Vietnamese, 18 as Rusyn, 15 as Serbian, 15 as Polish, 10 as Turkish, 10 as Romanian, 10 as Croatian, 9 as Italian, 8 as Bulgarian, 7 as Jewish, 6 as German, 5 as Moravian, 5 as Albanian, 4 as Austrian, 3 as English, 2 as Irish, 2 as Korean, 2 as Canadian, 2 as Greek, 1 as Silesian and 1 as French.
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
| Religion | Number | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Church | 9975 | 47.09% |
| None | 7779 | 36.72% |
| Not found out | 1845 | 8.71% |
| Evangelical Church | 648 | 3.06% |
| Calvinist Church | 244 | 1.15% |
| Total | 21,183 |
In year 2021 was 21,183 people by religion 9975 from Roman Catholic Church, 7779 from None, 1845 from Not found out, 648 from Evangelical Church, 244 from Calvinist Church, 133 from Greek Catholic Church, 113 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 73 from Other, 68 from Ad hoc movements, 57 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 57 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 44 from Buddhism, 41 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 22 from Islam, 18 from United Methodist Church, 18 from Apostolic Church, 11 from Old Catholic Church, 10 from Jewish community, 9 from Paganism and natural spirituality, 7 from Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4 from Hinduism, 3 from Baptists Church, 2 from Czechoslovak Hussite Church, 1 from Church of the Brethren and 1 from Bahá'i Community.
Economy
The economy of the town is primarily based on the chemical industry by the company Duslo Šaľa, just east of the town. Other industries include textile and construction.
Twin towns — sister cities
Notable people
- B-Complex, Slovak drum & bass producer and DJ; born in Šaľa[14]
