Things to do
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Church of St James
Two Gothic naves and a tall tower mark the parish church just off the northern end of the square. Medieval wall paintings survive inside, along with a baroque high altar. Doors are often locked outside service times, though the interior can be seen through a grille. A short lane links it to the château courtyard.
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Church of the Holy Spirit
Oldest building in town, the Romanesque tower of this church rises behind the square and is open for climbing. A gallery near the top looks down on the gables and the ponds. Stairs are steep and narrow, entry is ticketed, and the tower opens in the main season only.
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Roštejn Castle
Seven kilometres northwest of town, a Gothic hunting castle sits on a wooded crag in the Javořice highlands. Its seven sided tower can be climbed for a view across the forest, and the halls hold collections of hunting trophies and carved stone. A marked trail makes a half day walk from the square. It closes from November to March.
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Telč Castle
Coffered ceilings, a Golden Hall and frescoed arcades fill the Renaissance residence built for Zachariáš of Hradec at the head of the square. Guided tours of the Renaissance halls run in Czech, English and German from May to October, closed Mondays. Winter keeps only the museum and the private apartments open. The arcaded garden behind the château is open without a ticket.
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Zachariáš of Hradec Square
Around this long, lens shaped square, every house has an arcade at ground level and a different painted gable above. A Marian plague column and two fountains stand on the cobbles. Cars are restricted, and the arcades give shelter in rain. Morning and evening are quiet, before and after the coach groups.
