It experienced its greatest glory during the times of socialism, later it had a break of several years. The town hall decided to restore the cveng to the beach swimming pool with special water, which it is gradually doing well. The other two seasons are working again and they are preparing more news there. They are launching a project that will also provide vacationers with overnight accommodation.
The Morské oko beach swimming pool in Tornal, built in 1969, two decades after its opening, experienced the greatest fame. It worked literally nonstop, as there were no shortage of bungalows or cabins in the area where tourists slept. So it lived there day and night – certainly many Slovak families who spent their summer holidays there have memories of it.
The swimming pool has a natural pool with an area of 1.5 hectares and a depth of over two meters. It is filled with water directly from the Sea Eye, which is in its immediate vicinity. This unique place has a depth of 38 meters – it is also known for being sought after by divers from near and far. However, they must report in advance and follow the relevant guidelines.
There is also a mineral water well at a depth of 155 meters in the area. Nevertheless, things began to gradually decline there, and the entire site remained closed for six seasons due to its poor condition. That changed in the summer of 2024, when the swimming pool literally “rose from the ashes” and was reopened. The town hall invested more than half a million euros in its restoration – mostly from its own resources. However, the regional allowance for the least developed districts also helped.
Immediately after this “restart”, they recorded a huge number of visitors – 30 thousand people came there during the season. Unfortunately, it already dropped last year, which the municipality attributes to the surrounding competition, especially the newly opened swimming pool in Rimavská Sobota. However, he does not throw a “flint into the rye” and believes that this number will go up again this summer.
Suitable for mobility devices
In the natural pool, they have water from Morské oko, which flows into it from the Slovak Karst. It has a high capacity – approximately 35 liters per second. The city management emphasizes that they do not add any chemicals to it, microbiologically it is completely fine. It is regularly checked by hygienists, and other specialists have recently confirmed its quality. Thanks to them, they also learned more detailed information about the uniqueness of its composition. They could attract even more vacationers.
“Since we have, in popular terms, sorrel here, we had its physical and chemical analysis done in a certified laboratory in Prague,” revealed the mayor of the city, Erika Györfiová. “The Gemer itself is really full of mineral springs – I tend to say that even Tornaľa stands on water,” she commented lightly. Immediately, she pointed out that they had repeated the analysis of water from Morské ok twice, not of the oxalic acid – and the results were excellent.
“It is calcium-magnesium, hydrogen-carbonate-sulfate, weakly alkaline water with a pH of 8.2. The main cations are calcium and magnesium, roughly in a ratio of 1:3. There is more,” she stated. However, her curiosity was even greater, which is why she also approached a recognized Slovak balneologist. “He makes expert assessments for mineral and medicinal waters. The conclusion is that ours is very suitable for physical activities. Its average annual temperature, in that cave, is 17 to 18 degrees. It never freezes,” she clarified.
“In other words, increased mineralization has a positive effect on the locomotor system. It is very good for swimming or cycling underwater – similar to what you can see somewhere by the sea or in spas directly in pools. It also benefits immunity,” explained the mayor. According to her, they also have a statement that water of a similar composition, which they pour into the Tornał swimming pool directly from Morské oko without any treatment, is used in spas for balneotherapy.
For what “specialty” they offer, the entrance fee is really popular. An adult all-day ticket costs 6 euros, children under the age of three can enjoy the Tornał swimming pool for free. Students and seniors pay 3.50 euros.
Photo: Eva Štenclová, Pravda
swimming pool, Tornaľa The swimming pool in Tornali offers unique water without chemical treatment.
Relaxation pool with whirlpools
In its heyday, i.e. during the entire period of socialism, the swimming pool in Tornali had such a turnover that it did not need any subsidy to operate. The mayor called the fact that at least part of the money earned was not used for further development as a negative. “In short, it was just here,” she pointed out.
Three years ago, it underwent the aforementioned renovation, during which they also installed attractions for children. But that’s not the end, more news is coming. In the larger part of the complex, where a 50-meter swimming pool once functioned, but basically only a torso remained, they will build a replacement – a relaxation pool with whirlpools.
“We already have a tender for the company, we want to do it by the end of the year,” Györfiová explained, adding that it would cost them 800,000 euros and they also had to take out a loan. The children’s pool, which they plan to complete in the same part next year, will cost a little less.
After the upcoming opening, which they set for June 27, people can still swim in the large 1.5-hectare pool, which was renovated in 2023. The mayoress believes that the swimming pool will be operational next season, even with the completed innovations. He also advises them to restore the former car camping site, in which mobile homes will be added.
“We managed to get almost 300,000 euros from the tourism support fund. Of course, there is also a co-participation – the total investment is roughly 380,000 euros. We put out a public tender to ensure the complete supply of five mobile homes with their own social facilities,” she explained.
They are currently preparing electrical installation, water supply and sewerage on the area where they will stand. Then they just put them there, ready, with a crane. Their total capacity should be 23 beds, plus two disabled beds. Two families can be accommodated in one house – they will be separated by a common room.
