Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Telči)
Telč (pronounced “telch,” pop. 6,000) is famous for its castle and
its glorious square, considered by many to be the country's best.
The old town—just a fat square
with a thin layer of buildings—
is surrounded by a sophisticated
system of protective ponds and
defense walls. The general lay of
the land has changed little since
the 1300s. After 1800, all new
construction took place outside
the core. Today, Telč remains an
unspoiled, sleepy Czech town
where neighbors chat in pastry shops, Vietnamese traders in medi-
eval arcade stalls sell dirt-cheap textiles to country folks, and the
smell of goat dung from a pasture across the lake permeates the
town after nightfall.
There are basically no attractions aside from the square and
the castle. Telč is made to order as a lunch stop on the way to or
from Slavonice, Třeboň, and Třebíč, or on the longer haul between
Prague, Brno, and Vienna. An overnight stay here can be a relaxing
village experience.
orientation
Everything you'll need—including ATMs, shops, hotels, and res-
taurants—is on the main square (Náměstí Zachariáše z Hradce),
easily reachable on foot from the bus station. For a taxi, call 603-
255-048 and expect basic English.
Tourist Information
The TI has information on activities in the area, train and bus
schedules, and Internet access (Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00, Sat-Sun
10:00-18:00, shorter hours off-season, tel. 567-112-407, www.telc
-etc.cz). They can also help you find a room in one of the pensions
on the square (see “Sleeping,” page 211).
Helpful Hints
Festivals:
Every year during the first two weeks of July, young
musicians pour into Telč from all over Europe for the French-
Czech Music Academy, which hosts workshops on classical
music interpretation. The young virtuosos show off their
skills in a number of concerts and recitals. The Telč Vacations
(Prázdniny v Telči) festival, held during the first two weeks
