En route from Prague to Brno
We stopped for a few hours in Telč on our journey from Prague to Brno. Located about 158 km southeast of Prague, this charming town is renowned for its beautifully preserved historic center and is an excellent place to explore on foot. With its picturesque main square and relaxed atmosphere, Telč is another small town that offers a glimpse into the Czech Republic’s history.
It took us close to 2 hours to reach Telč and we found parking quite close to the town center. We spent about 4 hours walking around the huge main square where you have most of the attractions as well as the Telč Chateau. Although we were able to visit all the sites this place had to offer, both the churches were not open. We had to be satisfied with admiring the exterior facades.
- Telč Town Square – Zacharias of Hradec Square
- Renaissance buildings
- Plague Column (Marian Column)
- Churches in Zacharias of Hradec Square
- Church of St. James
- Church of Holy Spirit
- Holy Name of Jesus Church
- Town hall
- Telč Chateau
- Telčsky Dum (Telč House)
- Fish Pond
The small town of Telč, which was originally built from wood, owes its current appearance to a tragedy. In the late 14th century, a fire struck the town, destroying many of its buildings. It was later rebuilt in stone and was given additional fireproofing in the form of walls and a network of manmade ponds.
Telč Town Square (Zacharias of Hradec Square) – The spacious and impressive main square is the main attraction in Telč . The plaza is lined with colorful 16th-century Renaissance and Baroque houses featuring distinctive high gables and arcaded walkways. They were built during the time when the owners tried to out-do each other with color and decoration of the facades. Today the buildings have been converted to shops, cafes and restaurants.
Plague Column (Marian Column) – is one of the town’s most striking Baroque monuments and a focal point of the UNESCO-listed center. Built between 1716 and 1720, the column is richly decorated and symbolically layered. At its summit, a sculpted cloud formation supports a globe topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing protection and intercession. The base features a grotto-like design with statues of St. Rosalia and Mary Magdalene.
Churches in Zacharias of Hradec Square – There are several historic churches that surround Telč’s beautiful Zacharias of Hradec Square, adding to the town’s rich architectural heritage. Unfortunately, all of the churches were closed on the day of our visit, so we were only able to admire their exteriors.
- Church of St. James – this striking Gothic church dates back from the 15th century. You can see its 60-metre-high tower from anywhere in the square. For a small admission fee, visitors can climb the narrow, winding staircase to the top, passing beneath the church’s massive bells before reaching the viewing platform.
- Church of Holy Spirit (Kostel Duch svatého) – Located at the east end of Zacharias of Hradec Square, this gothic church features a 13th century tower from where you get a spectacular view of the town.
- Holy Name of Jesus Church – This twin-towered Church is closer to the center of the plaza and was founded in 1667.
Zacharias of Hradec Square, Town Hall – Telč has a long history shaped by destruction and renewal. After being severely damaged by an explosion in 1499 and again by a fire in 1530, the building was rebuilt twice, and completed in 1574. The structure itself had originally been formed by merging two Gothic houses, with records of the site dating back to 1443. A plaque on the arcade façade commemorates Telč’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. Today, the building continues to serve its original civic purpose, housing the municipal administration as well as the tourist information centre.
We were able to step inside Telč’s town hall and explore its interior rooms. We also visited the basement, where archaeological finds and exhibits are displayed, offering insight into the town’s earlier layers of history.
Zacharias of Hradec Square, Telčsky Dum (Telč House) – Located in a corner of Zacharias of Hradec Square near the Tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Telčský Dům (Telč House) is a charming and interesting stop. The ground floor functions primarily as a souvenir shop, but for a small fee visitors can also explore the upper and lower levels of the building.
- Upstairs, the 2 floors are filled with playful, interactive displays designed especially for children, including model train tracks and road layouts that add a fun, hands-on element to the visit.
- Downstairs, the atmosphere shifts completely – a series of carefully arranged pictures and tableaux illustrate traditional folklore stories. Visitors receive a printed guide from the shop owner that explains the scenes and stories, helping bring the pictorial displays and narratives to life.
About a Manor Kitchen – One of the local folk tales associated with Telč happens in House 32 which once served as the manor kitchen, where unmarried officials of the lord’s household would take their meals.
One Sunday three young officers who, were on an outing, stopped at a nearby farm and asked a woman churning butter if she could give them some milk. In exchange, they offered to help with the churning. When the woman went inside to fetch the milk, the mischievous officers placed a tomcat into the butter churn as a prank. After they left, the woman resumed churning, only to hear strange howling and wailing from inside the churn. When she discovered the cat, she was furious. The following Sunday the 3 men returned to the farm to find out how it went. The woman told them that the tomcat had licked itself clean, finished churning the butter, and she sold it to the manor kitchen.
Hearing this, the young men suddenly understood why they had found hair in the food served at the manor kitchen.
A legend about Julinka – One of the local folk tales associated with Telč is the story of Julinka, the cheerful and beautiful daughter of a couple who lived on the town square. According to the legend, Julinka suddenly fell seriously ill and was believed to have died. Fearing that she had succumbed to a contagious disease, no one entered the house for three days. She was eventually dressed in her finest clothes and jewelry and taken to the mortuary.
A gravedigger, decided to steal the jewelry before the burial. However, as he attempted to remove a ring from her finger, Julinka suddenly opened her eyes and sat upright. Terrified, the gravedigger fled in panic. Equally frightened, Julinka ran home, where her astonished and overjoyed parents welcomed her back. When the gravedigger was later brought to trial for attempted theft, Julinka’s parents put in a good word and the gravedigger was forgiven and escaped punishment.
Zacharias of Hradec Square, Telč Castle – Dominating one side of Zacharias of Hradec Square, Telč Castle began as a Gothic fortress built by the Lords of Hradec in the 14th century. Originally designed for defense, the castle was transformed into a magnificent Renaissance residence in the mid-16th century under Zachariáš of Hradec, who was inspired by the architecture and art he encountered during his travels in Italy. Despite passing through the hands of several noble families over the centuries, much of the castle’s interior has remained remarkably unchanged.
We joined a guided tour of the castle interiors, but since the guide spoke only Czech, we were provided with a printed guide in English. As we followed the group from room to room, we used the booklet to learn about the castle’s history, architecture, and furnishings.
Several tour options are available, and we chose the basic castle circuit, which covers some of the most important historic interiors. Among the highlights were the richly decorated Renaissance halls with their elaborate wooden ceilings. You will get to see the Theatre Hall, the Knight Hall, the Blue Hall, and the famous Golden Hall which is adorned with intricately carved wooden panels.
Fish Ponds – Just beyond the historic center, Telč is surrounded on three sides by a series of interconnected fish ponds that contribute greatly to the town’s picturesque setting. Originally created for fish farming, these ponds now provide peaceful walking paths and scenic views that contrast with the bustle of the main square. In the largest of the 3 ponds (Staroměstský Pond), visitors can rent a paddleboat and glide across its calm waters while enjoying serene views of the town’s historic skyline.
