Telecí – Timbered Farmsteads, Churches and Landscape in the Žďárské vrchy

Telecí combines the landscape of the Žďárské vrchy with an exceptionally well-preserved historic villagescape. The village lies in the elongated valley of the Telecký potok stream and is part of the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. Those wishing to combine nature, timber architecture, churches and local history on a trip will find several clearly distinguishable themes here – without having to reduce them to a single attraction.

Landscape between Valley and Hiking Trail

The location in the valley of the Telecký potok shapes Telecí’s geographical character. In addition, its inclusion in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area places the village within a protected landscape. The yellow-marked Stezka Terézy Novákové hiking trail runs from Telecí via Lucký vrch to Borová u Poličky. The Lukasova Lime Tree, also known as the Zpívající lípa, is also part of the area’s and village’s identity. The tree from Telecí was voted Tree of the Year 2021 and is estimated to be 600 to 700 years old. An exhibition about the legends and stories connected with the Lukasova Lime Tree has been set up in the historic cellar of the neighboring house No. 102. Here, a natural motif, local tradition and a dedicated exhibition come together.

Timbered Farmsteads and the Village Conservation Area

The character of Telecí is particularly vivid in its traditional buildings. Farmstead No. 16 is considered an exceptionally well-preserved example of the “poličský” type of enclosed three- or four-sided farmsteads and is built almost entirely of timber. The term describes a building form in which the farm buildings create an enclosed inner area. The southern part of Telecí has been a village conservation area since 2005. Numerous timber houses and agricultural buildings have been preserved there, forming enclosed three- or four-sided “poličské” farmsteads. In addition, Telecí has two rare polygonal timber barns at house numbers 10 and 89. Those interested in rural architecture can therefore distinguish between a single particularly well-preserved farmstead, a protected part of the village and the freestanding barns.

Churches, Bell Tower and Remembrance

The religious buildings also provide the village with several historical points of reference. A freestanding bell tower stands beside the Catholic Gothic Church of St. Mary Magdalene and probably dates from the 16th century. The Protestant Toleration Church in Telecí was built in 1783. The two buildings thus represent different confessional and historical traces in the village. A memorial at the vicarage by the Protestant Toleration Church recalls that a well-known resistance organization met there during the Second World War. This place of remembrance adds an event from the 20th century to the older architectural history, without limiting the village’s history to a single era.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans

If you are looking for accommodation in Telecí, you can choose the focus of your trip according to the village’s features: landscape and hiking trails, traditional timbered farmsteads, churches or the stories connected with the Lukasova Lime Tree. For further research, you can also find Horní Újezd, Opatovec, Karle, Suchá Lhota, Pohledy, Pusta Kamenice, Městečko Trnávka and Dolní Újezd.

For the higher-level travel overview: Svitavy District.