Telc Off The Beaten Path

Church of Wed St. Laurence, is the Parish Church that is located next to the Renaissance Tower. This Baroque church was built in the 18th century, and is the 3rd Church built in the same place! The original, was a Romanesque church.
The Church has a single-aisle, with fresco paintings on the three altars.

The walled Pulpit and old Tin Font date back to 1500!

The tall Tower to the right in my photo, is that of the Old Town Hall. This was built in 1559, and was twice destroyed by fire.
It is now a Museum, which is much better than the gruesome event's it was used for!
Year's gone by, the Bell in the Tower was rung to notify the village that somebody was being executed. On a happier note, it is also rung for Fairs and Market's.
The Town hall was used as a Store house and as a Prison.

It's located in Palacky Square, Dacice

We couldn't help but see this high Tower in Dacice.
Built between the years 1586-1592, by another Italian Architect, [Francesco Garof de Bissone] it is 51 metres high and has 7 floors. The Architects Gravestone was found in the alcove of the Tower!

The tower is decorated with typical sgraffito imitating brickwork from stone blocks, the broadstone with the coat-of-arms of the Krajir family [Chateau owner's] and a stone is embossed with the emblem of the town from 1592.

The Oldest Bell at the Church of Wed Laurence is preserved in the tower and dates back to 1483.

The Tower can only be accessed and climbed in "high" Tourist season, otherwise, you have to be like me, and enjoy the view from the outside!

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Located just 13kms from Telc, is the Town of Dacice with its Blue Chateau.

The chateau, first mentioned in 1591, is located in Havlicek Square. The Krajir family from Krajek, owned the Manor and it was from here, Krajir old family lace originated from.

This is another Chateau built by an Italian architect, but later a Barouqe reconstruction was done with the change of Owner's.
In 1809, the Dalbergs, a noble family from Upper Rhineland, inherited the Chateau, and another change was made. This was to the front of the Chateau which they turned into Imperial style. The last change was in 1914, when they built a neo-Barouque Chapel.

In 1945, the State took over ownership, and opened the Chateau to the public.

Guided tours are given of the inside, and behind the Chateau, you can stroll in the Chateau Park
During summer evenings, concert's and Theatre performance's are held in the Chateau courtyard.

THE CHATEAU IS OPEN ................
April and October ....Sat/ Sun 10-4PM..Other days a reservation is needed.
May & September.....10-5pm
June - August.......... 10-6pm

THE CHATEAU PARK IS OPEN..................
April- September....weekdays 7-9pm....Weekends 8-9pm
October-March......weekdays....7-7pm....Weekends 8-7pm

ADMISSION IN 2011.........
Sightseeing in Czech language (with English texts)
Adults....80czk
Guide in foreign language - Adults.....120 CZK

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We happened to be at Jemnice on the Sunday of the Barchan festival.
It takes place in June after Saint Vitus Day, and is one of the oldest festivals in Bohemia and Moravia.

The festival began in 1713, but it's not sure if today's is based on the real event that happened long ago.

There is 3 days of attractions, a Fair, Historical and Cultural event's. We were at the Fair [market] and saw many costumed people walking around in the area of the Chateau and Sokol Hall.

It begins on the Friday with a Parade of people dressed of old, and flying the Flag of Barchan and the flag of the Town Hall. In the evening there is dancing.

On the Saturday morning if you are staying here, you will be awoken by the sounds of Drum's and Bugle's, so no sleep in!
In the afternoon, somebody dressed as King John arrives, and is joined by the Queen and about 200 people dressed in costume. There are duel's, old songs and dances.

Sunday morning, and we saw lots of crafts, art work, interesting food, and plenty of people having a good time.
Sunday evening, and the Medieval dressed people lead the people to the Chateau where the day finishes with Fireworks.

The three day Festival finishes with the Saint's Day at the Saint Vitus Church. There is an old Lime Tree in Jemnice, and this is where the Vitus worshippers meet for the ceremonial mass.

You can see the Chuch and about the Lime Tree on the "other" website

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Jemnice Castle is another one that was rebuilt in Renaissance style.

I didn't get to go inside, as I was interested in the Festival that was being held here.

If you do visit the inside, the interior is of Empire style, created in 1818. The final changes to the Castle were made in 1842 by Evrharta Anton Martinelli who restyled the Castle in false Rococo.
In 1943, the Castle housed the Vienna Art Collection, and it also was a Hostel for students of the Vienna Conservatory, and then, in 1945, the Army took over the Castle for accommodation.

Now, there are tours available of the Castle.
TOURS............
11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm

ADMISSION .....Adults 20czk

The Castle hosts different exhibition's from time to time

There is nothing remarkable or unusual about this Renaissance style chuch located just off the highway about 2 km. west of Telc. I find it amazing that the citizens of relatively small villages built tall churches. Two identical conical bell towers sit atop the roof. The local church was easily the dominating feature of nearly every village in central Europe. Villagers obviously sacrificed greatly to build such great structures.

This church was built by my ancestors over the centuries, starting about 600 years ago. I was surprised to find some excellent quality paintings and sculptures inside of the church. My great grandfather worshipped at the church until he immigrated to the U.S. 100 years ago. Much of the history of my family is contained within the walls of this well preserved not so small rural church.