*Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Telč (and its 86 fishponds) – a 5 km walk*

• Telč has probably the most beautiful main square of any town in the Czech Republic. The remarkably consistent and colorful Renaissance facades of the buildings that line the square were constructed by Italian builders in the 16th century after a devastating fire had swept through the medieval town. At the far end of the square, the impressive Renaissance chateau is one of the best preserved in the country and is available for guided tours.
• While many visitors are satisfied with a stroll around the main square and chateau area, Telč has more to offer. In the Middle Ages, the region became the center of Moravian fish farming due to a shortage of water in the region and a need to create natural reservoirs. By the end of the 16th century it is believed there were as many as eighty-six fish ponds in the area around Telč.
• Three of those ponds effectively circle the old town and a nice way of combining a visit to Telč center with an easy short walk is to take a circular route around the ponds. There are many viewpoints of the Renaissance beauties of Telč along the route, which also passes through the English style chateau park area, which even has a fine 19th century Classicist greenhouse.
• The total route is between 5 km and 6 km long depending how much time is spent in the park area. It is an almost completely flat route and is suitable for strollers. There are a number of good cafés and restaurants on or near the main square. Try the elegant café in the university and Jesuit college complex opposite the chateau or the Bistro café friends on Paláckého street. For nice ice cream, there is a specialist shop, the Cukrána Jadran, at the opposite end of the square from the chateau.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• If travelling by public transport, the main train and bus station in Telč is a good starting point for this walk. For drivers, there is a parking area at the station, and others around the town. The walk can be joined at any point
• At the hiking trail signpost next to the train station, take the RED trail in the direction of Telč (nam) along the main street
• After 200m turn right off the main street, taking a side road to reach the banks of the Štěpnický pond
• Turn left at the pond and follow the cycle trail for 600m to reach the lower gate entrance into the town centre
• Rather than enter the town through this gate, first explore the park area by following the path into the chateau park, below the walls
• Cross the canal on the footbridge and head towards the Classicist greenhouse on the park footpaths
• Leave the park by taking the footbridge across the center of the Ulický pond
• 100m after crossing the bridge turn left to follow Seminářská street to reach the Church of St James (where there is a viewing tower) and the university buildings (café)
• Walk through the main square and leave it along Paláckého street passing through the upper gate to reach the street that runs along the dam creating the Ulický pond
• Before reaching the end of the dam, turn left down a side street to join a path that runs beside the third pond – Staroměstký rybník
• Follow this side street along the pond and then past the church to reach the far end of the pond
• At the large Renaissance saw mill, join the GREEN hiking trail turning to the left to follow the far side of the pond
• This pleasant trail passes through a small forest area before reaching the train and bus stations in 1.1 km