Telc

Telc, in the Moravian highlands, is one of the most beautiful small towns in the Czech lands, its long triangular main square lined with a unified row of pastel Renaissance and baroque houses above graceful arcades, ringed by ponds. A UNESCO site little changed since the 16th century, it is crowned by a fine lakeside chateau.

History

Local legend dates the town to 1099, but it is first recorded in 1335, and the Gothic castle, houses and water defences were built in the mid-14th century; in the Hussite Wars the Hussites took the town, though the castle held out. Telč prospered again under Zachariáš of Hradec, who in the mid-16th century had the castle rebuilt in Renaissance style and the Gothic houses turned into Renaissance ones with arcades and decorated facades. The Swedes briefly occupied it in the Thirty Years' War, the Jesuits built the Church of the Name of Jesus in 1667 and founded a Latin school, wealthy townspeople added statues, fountains and a Marian column in the 18th century, and the railway arrived in 1898 (Wikipedia, Telč).

What you'll find

• The main square - the long triangular square of pastel arcaded houses.
• The chateau - the Renaissance castle with its ornate halls by the pond.
• The ponds and walls - the water and gates that ring the old town.
• The unified facades - the harmonious row of Renaissance and baroque gables.

When to go

The warm months for the square, the chateau and the ponds; it is quiet and lovely, less crowded than Cesky Krumlov. A clear day suits the pastel facades.

Things to know

It is small and quieter than the famous towns, seen in a few hours, which is part of its charm. It is a fair drive from the main cities, off the busiest routes. Its beauty is the harmonious square rather than a single big sight.

Nearby

The Moravian highlands and Trebic's Jewish quarter are nearby; Prague and Vienna are each a couple of hours away.

Key facts