Kľak (Hungarian: Madarasalja) is a village and municipality in the Žarnovica District, Banská Bystrica Region in Slovakia.

Geography

The municipality lies at an altitude of 616 metres (2,021 ft) and covers an area of 22.79 km2 (8.80 sq mi) (2025).

History

On January 21, 1945 the village was burned by Waffen-SS anti-partisan unit Edelweiss with help of Heimatschutz unit. There were 84 inhabitants of the village killed (including 36 children), and all of 132 houses and buildings were destroyed. Numerous victims were burned alive in their own houses. Nazi soldiers raided the village and expelled the rest of the inhabitants from the village, they also shot all of the cattle. Considering the method of accomplishment, not the number of casualties, this was one of the most brutal war crimes committed on the Slovak territory during World War II.

Population

Population statistic (10 years)
Year1995200520152025
Count246236208165
Difference−4.06%−11.86%−20.67%
Population statistic
Year20242025
Count168165
Difference−1.78%

It has a population of 165 people (31 December 2025).

Ethnicity

Census 2021 (1+ %)
EthnicityNumberFraction
Slovak17697.77%
Not found out31.66%
Other31.66%
Czech21.11%
Total180

In year 2021 was 180 people by ethnicity 176 as Slovak, 3 as Not found out, 3 as Other and 2 as Czech.

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

Census 2021 (1+ %)
ReligionNumberFraction
Roman Catholic Church14278.89%
None3217.78%
Not found out42.22%
Total180

In year 2021 was 180 people by religion 142 from Roman Catholic Church, 32 from None, 4 from Not found out, 1 from Other and not ascertained christian church and 1 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia.