Located in Southern Moravia, the charming town of Telč is an easy and pleasant day trip from Prague for those who want to escape the city. Just two and a half hours away by car or public transport, this town and its fairy-tale sights can easily be seen in just a day.
Telč was founded at the end of the 13th century and was originally a merchant town on the crossroads between Bohemia, Moravia, and Austria. A Gothic fortress was built in the town in the 14th century, but in the 16th century, Zachariáš of Hradec, who had taken charge of the Telč estate, decided to change the style of the stately home from Gothic to Renaissance following a trip to Italy, and the rest of the town quickly followed suit.
The historical town centre has since gained UNESCO World Heritage status, and you can certainly see why people make a point of visiting this sleepy Moravian town.
THINGS TO DO:
Old Town Square
The Old Town square is arguably the main attraction of the small Moravian town. The unique square is lined with Italian Renaissance and baroque styled houses, with colourful and intricate pastel facades, high gables, and arcades. The square is perhaps the most picturesque square in the Czech Republic and you could easily spend the majority of your day here, simply sitting outside, enjoying a drink and soaking up the beauty of the town at one of the many cafes on the square.
Church of St Jacob the Elder
Make sure you check out the beautiful late-Gothic styled Cathedral on the old town square. Built in the 15th century, not only does the church hold a lot of history, but it’s also the best place to get a rooftop view over the quaint Moravian town. For just 30 kc, you can climb the impressive 60-metre-high tower and see the picturesque town from above.
Telč Chateau
Another UNESCO heritage site, the Chateau is the town’s most notable historical site. As mentioned before, the chateau was once a Gothic style fortress, but since the reign of Zachariáš of Hradec, it was transformed into an Italian Renaissance styled stately residential chateau. Nowadays, tourists can enter the beautifully preserved building and get an idea of what life might have been like for the Moravian nobility who once lived here.
WHERE TO EAT:
Address: Palackého 25, Vnitřní Město
This cosy café in the centre town is the ideal place for a relaxing lunch or dinner. Serving up contemporary Czech dishes, as well as excellent coffee and cake, this café is rated number one on TripAdvisor in the city and certainly deserves it! Moderately priced with friendly service.
Address: Slavatovska 96
Another traditional restaurant serving up great Czech cuisine. The atmosphere and cosy and comfortable, and if the weather permits, you can sit outside in the courtyard and dine al fresco.
Address: nám. Zachariáše z Hradce 22
With a hugely diverse menu, ranging from delicious authentic Mexican food to steaks and burgers, you’ll definitely find what your stomach desires here.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Telč is around 150 km from Prague and can be reached in two and a half hours. The easiest way to get there is by car, but for those who don’t drive, it’s also very easy to reach the town via public transport. You can find direct buses from UAN Florenc for around 150 kc. As always, it’s cheaper to book in advance, so I would recommend using GoEuro.com to find the cheapest routes and deals.
