# Trnava

> city in Slovakia

**Wikidata**: [Q26175](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26175)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trnava)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trnava

## Summary

Trnava is a city in Slovakia and the administrative capital of both the Trnava Region and Trnava District. Founded in 1211, it serves as a historic center of Roman Catholic worship in Slovakia, housing the Archdiocese of Trnava. The city had an estimated population of approximately 63,184 residents as of December 2025 and covers an area of about 71.54 square kilometres.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Situated in western Slovakia, coordinates 48.37775°N, 17.586211111111°E
- **Elevation**: 144 metres above sea level
- **Area**: 71.54 km² (71.537935 km² as of 2024)
- **Population**: 63,184 (estimated December 2025); 63,180 (estimated December 2024); 62,955 (estimated December 2023); 63,194 (December 2021); 63,803 (census January 2021)
- **Founded**: 1211 (earliest written record also 1211)
- **Country**: Slovakia (since January 1, 1993)
- **Administrative status**: Capital of Trnava Region, Trnava District, and Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Trnava
- **Postal codes**: 917 01, 917 02, 917 05, 917 08
- **Local dialing code**: 033
- **Licence plate code**: TT
- **UN/LOCODE**: SKTNA
- **Website**: https://www.trnava.sk/
- **Email**: info@trnava.sk

## FAQs

**What is Trnava known for historically?**

Trnava was founded in 1211 and became an important religious center in Slovakia, housing the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Trnava. Historically, it was known by German name Tyrnau and Hungarian name Nagyszombat.

**What are Trnava's administrative divisions?**

Trnava is the capital of the Trnava Region (SK0217506745), Trnava District, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Trnava. It is a municipality of Slovakia.

**What is Trnava's population?**

As of the most recent estimate (December 2025), Trnava has a population of 63,184 residents. Historical figures include 63,180 (2024), 62,955 (2023), 63,194 (2021), and 63,803 during the 2021 census.

**What cities are twinned with Trnava?**

Trnava has twinning relationships with Novo Mesto (Slovenia), Casale Monferrato (Italy), Varaždin (Croatia), Břeclav (Czech Republic), Sangerhausen (Germany), Balakovo (Russia), Kharkiv (Ukraine, since 2013), Zabrze (Poland, since 1995), Szombathely (Hungary), Chomutov (Czech Republic), and Scranton (USA).

**What awards has Trnava received?**

Trnava was awarded the European City of the Trees in 2017.

**What is Trnava's relationship to bodies of water?**

Trnava is located next to the Trnávka river.

**What notable facilities does Trnava have?**

Trnava is home to Štadión Antona Malatinského, a football stadium.

## Why It Matters

Trnava holds significant historical, religious, and administrative importance in Slovakia. As one of the oldest Slovak cities, founded in 1211, it served as a crucial center for Roman Catholicism in the region, housing the archbishopric which grants it spiritual significance beyond its municipal boundaries. The city's status as the capital of the Trnava Region makes it a key administrative hub in western Slovakia, serving as a center for regional governance, commerce, and cultural activities.

The city's historical significance is evidenced by its multiple historical names across different languages (Tyrnau in German, Nagyszombat in Hungarian, Тырнау/Тырнава in Russian) and its inclusion in major encyclopedic works including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Great Soviet Encyclopedia, Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition), and others. Its recognition as European City of the Trees in 2017 demonstrates its commitment to environmental quality and urban sustainability.

Trnava's strategic location in the Trnava District, its role as a transportation hub with connections to multiple European cities through twinning agreements, and its function as an educational and cultural center contribute to its regional importance. The city's diverse population, reflected in its multiple postal codes and comprehensive municipal services, indicates its role as a thriving urban center in modern Slovakia.

## Notable For

- Administrative capital of Trnava Region and Trnava District
- Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Trnava
- European City of the Trees award (2017)
- One of the oldest cities in Slovakia, founded in 1211
- Twinned with 12 cities across Europe and the United States
- Home to Štadión Antona Malatinského football stadium
- Located at coordinates 48.37775°N, 17.586211111111°E
- Elevation of 144 metres above sea level
- Area of approximately 71.54 km²

## Body

### History and Foundation

Trnava was founded in 1211, making it one of the oldest cities in Slovakia. The earliest written record also dates to 1211, establishing its medieval origins as an important settlement. Throughout its history, the city has been known by various names in different languages: Tyrnau (German), Nagyszombat (Hungarian), Тырнау and Тырнава (Russian), and Търнава (Bulgarian). This multilingual heritage reflects the city's position at the crossroads of Central European cultures and its complex historical development within the Austro-Hungarian Empire before the establishment of Czechoslovakia.

### Geography and Location

Trnava is situated in western Slovakia at coordinates 48.37775°N latitude and 17.586211111111°E longitude. The city covers an area of approximately 71.54 square kilometres (71.537935 km² according to 2024 data), making it a mid-sized Slovak city. The elevation is 144 metres above sea level, positioned in the Trnava District. Trnava is located adjacent to the Trnávka river, providing a natural water feature and contributing to the local geography. The city shares a border with the municipality of Špačince, indicating its position within the broader regional settlement pattern.

### Population and Demographics

Trnava has maintained a stable population of approximately 63,000 to 68,000 residents over the past two decades. The most recent estimate for December 2025 shows 63,184 residents, with 63,180 in December 2024 and 62,955 in December 2023. The 2021 census recorded 63,803 residents, while historical figures show 68,828 (2005), 68,466 (2006), 65,596 (2015), 65,382 (2017), 65,207 (2018), and 64,735 (2020). The population has remained relatively consistent, with slight fluctuations reflecting broader demographic trends in Slovakia.

### Administrative Structure

Trnava serves as the administrative capital of three important entities: the Trnava Region, Trnava District, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Trnava. This triple capital status underscores its regional importance. The city operates as a municipality of Slovakia with the LAU code SK0217506745. Postal services are provided to multiple postal codes: 917 01, 917 02, 917 05, and 917 08. The local dialing code is 033, and vehicle licence plates bear the code TT.

### International Identification and References

Trnava is catalogued in numerous international databases and encyclopedic works. It has a VIAF ID of 152635979, a Geonames ID of 3057124, and a GND ID of 500513-9 (preferred, starting from 1919). The Freebase ID is /m/01z0tz, and it has a Library of Congress authority ID of n2001113300. The UN/LOCODE is SKTNA. OpenStreetMap identifies the city with node ID 26037632, way ID 289862512, and relation ID 2204009. The Getaway Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID is 7011810, and the GNS unique feature ID is -846608.

The city is documented in multiple encyclopedic sources including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947), Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, Otto's encyclopedia, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (4th edition 1885–1890), and the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition (under the historical name Nagyszombat).

### International Relations

Trnava maintains twinning relationships with 12 cities across Europe and North America: Novo Mesto in Slovenia, Casale Monferrato in Italy, Varaždin in Croatia, Břeclav in the Czech Republic, Sangerhausen in Germany, Balakovo in Russia, Kharkiv in Ukraine (since April 13, 2013), Zabrze in Poland (since December 15, 1995), Szombathely in Hungary, Chomutov in the Czech Republic, and Scranton in the United States. These relationships facilitate cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and mutual learning between the communities.

### Cultural and Civic Recognition

Trnava received the European City of the Trees award in 2017, recognizing its urban forestry and environmental sustainability efforts. The city owns Štadión Antona Malatinského, a football stadium that serves as a venue for sporting events and community activities. The official website (https://www.trnava.sk/) provides municipal information and services to residents and visitors.

### Media and Digital Presence

Trnava has a significant digital presence with a Wikipedia article available in over 100 language versions, indicating its international recognition. The city has a Google Play store ID of "Trnava" and is featured on various digital platforms including Quora under topics "Trnava-Slovakia" and "Slovakia-Trnava." The Wikimedia Commons category contains images and media related to the city, and the page banner features a banner image of Trnava.

### Historical Administrative Changes

The city's administrative status has evolved through several historical periods. It became part of Slovakia on January 1, 1993, following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Prior to this, it was part of the Slovak Republic from March 14, 1939, to April 4, 1945, and belonged to the First Czechoslovak Republic from October 28, 1918, to September 30, 1938. The historical GND identifiers reflect these changes: 4078490-3 for Tyrnau (until 1867), 10172490-1 for Nagyszombat (until 1918), and 500513-9 for Trnava (from 1919).

## References

1. [Source](https://infocity.kharkiv.ua/obshchestvo/goroda-pobratimy-harkova/)
2. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/trnawa)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Decree of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic no. 438/2004 Coll., which issues the classification of statistical territorial units
6. [Source](https://www.trnava.sk/)
7. MusicBrainz
8. Počet obyvateľov SR k 31. 12. 2019
9. Population of Slovakia by gender – municipalities (annually)
10. The 2021 Population and Housing Census
11. GeoNames
12. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/sk.htm)
13. Population density of Slovakia – municipalities [om7014rr] : Area (square meter). 2025
14. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
15. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
16. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/7768eb78-2bc9-4166-9888-9c1320a8aab9)