Třešť is a small town in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands half way between Jihlava and Telč.
Třešť is known as a town of Christmas nativity scenes. Local families often own and maintain those with dozens to hundreds of figures typically carved of wood in their homes. Some of them welcome visitors to see them between Christmas and beginning of February.
Třešť is also a place where young Franz Kafka spent his holidays from 1900 to 1907 with his uncle Siegfried Löwy, M.D., and a small exposition on his relation to Třešť can be visited in the Jewish synagogue.
Building nativity scenes ('betlemy' in Czech) is a tradition in Třešť families since two hundred years. At first, paper figures were used, and they were replaced by wooden craved ones since second half of the 19th century. Nativity scenes are constructed as dioramas with landscape made up of tree stumps, moss and other natural materials, sometimes also including running water and moving elements. The 3D landscape merges into a painted background. Nativity scenes in Třešť are regularly rebuilt by their owners for each Christmas season.
- Permanent exposition of nativity scenes in Schumpeter’s house, Rooseweltova 462. daily 8:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 17:00; Jan, Jun-Aug: Mo-Fri 8:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00, Sa, So: 9:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:30. Paper and wooden nativity scenes, including one that is being continuously expanded by figures from an annual wood carving event ‘Dřevořezání’ in Třešť.
In winter time (between Christmas and beginning of February), many households with nativity scenes open their doors to visitors. An up-to-date guide is available in the tourist information center.
Permanent exposition of nativity scenes in Schumpeter’s house, Rooseweltova 462. daily 8:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 17:00; Jan, Jun-Aug: Mo-Fri 8:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00, Sa, So: 9:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:30. Paper and wooden nativity scenes, including one that is being continuously expanded by figures from an annual wood carving event ‘Dřevořezání’ in Třešť.
- Vysočina Museum (Třešť branch), Rooseweltova 462 (in Schumpeter’s house. May-Sep, Dec and Jan: Tue - Sun 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:30. Exhibitions include mainly the topics of the nativity scenes tradition in Třešť, the Třešť castle, Schumpeter family and Třešť industrial history.
- Former Jewish Synagogue. Franz Kafka exposition. For a guided tour contact the Tourist Information Center.
Vysočina Museum (Třešť branch), Rooseweltova 462 (in Schumpeter’s house. May-Sep, Dec and Jan: Tue - Sun 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:30. Exhibitions include mainly the topics of the nativity scenes tradition in Třešť, the Třešť castle, Schumpeter family and Třešť industrial history.
Former Jewish Synagogue. Franz Kafka exposition. For a guided tour contact the Tourist Information Center.
- Swim in open air swimming pool. 10:00-20:00. This swimming pool is a biotop natural pool. It uses no chemical additives, like chlorine; instead, water is cleaned naturally by microorganisms while being filtered through sand and plant roots in another section of the biotop. From 20Kč.
- Swim in Čenkov quarry. This is a lake in a former granite quarry which was flooded after the mine was abandoned in 1970s. It has exceptionally clear water. The access is rocky (with only a small "beach") and steep. The maximal water depth is said to be around 14 m.
Swim in open air swimming pool. 10:00-20:00. This swimming pool is a biotop natural pool. It uses no chemical additives, like chlorine; instead, water is cleaned naturally by microorganisms while being filtered through sand and plant roots in another section of the biotop. From 20Kč.
Swim in Čenkov quarry. This is a lake in a former granite quarry which was flooded after the mine was abandoned in 1970s. It has exceptionally clear water. The access is rocky (with only a small "beach") and steep. The maximal water depth is said to be around 14 m.
- VÝVOJ, Franze Kafky 341, +420 567 215 221. Mo-Fri 9:00 - 17:00, Sat 8:30 - noon. While in Třešť, you can pay a visit to a company store of VÝVOJ to purches pieces of men's formal clothing locally produced: jackets, waistcoats, trousers, suits and coats.
- REJOICE, Družstevní 262, Batelov, +420 739 254 713. Mo-Fri 9:00-11:30 and noon - 17:00, Sat 9:00 - 11:30. A company store of the local outdoor clothes manufacturer in nearby Batelov.
VÝVOJ, Franze Kafky 341, +420 567 215 221. Mo-Fri 9:00 - 17:00, Sat 8:30 - noon. While in Třešť, you can pay a visit to a company store of VÝVOJ to purches pieces of men's formal clothing locally produced: jackets, waistcoats, trousers, suits and coats.
REJOICE, Družstevní 262, Batelov, +420 739 254 713. Mo-Fri 9:00-11:30 and noon - 17:00, Sat 9:00 - 11:30. A company store of the local outdoor clothes manufacturer in nearby Batelov.
- Restaurace Svět, nám. T.G. Masaryka 103 (main square, +420 567 216 459. Czech and international cuisine, front garden, rooms (500Kč/person/night). Daily menu 79Kč.
- U Kapra. Restaurant where the locals meet. Rooms available. Daily menu from 79Kč.
- Pizzeria u Ferdinanda, +420 567 215 567. Italian(-like) food, also to go. Daily menu from 79Kč.
Restaurace Svět, nám. T.G. Masaryka 103 (main square, +420 567 216 459. Czech and international cuisine, front garden, rooms (500Kč/person/night). Daily menu 79Kč.
U Kapra. Restaurant where the locals meet. Rooms available. Daily menu from 79Kč.
Pizzeria u Ferdinanda, +420 567 215 567. Italian(-like) food, also to go. Daily menu from 79Kč.
- Gram kafé, Rooseweltova 460/10, +420 728 453 455. 10:00-22:00. Family run cafe offering also cakes, ice-cream and refreshing home-made lemonades.
Gram kafé, Rooseweltova 460/10, +420 728 453 455. 10:00-22:00. Family run cafe offering also cakes, ice-cream and refreshing home-made lemonades.
Roštejn Castle is a hunting lodge located 7 km southwest from Třešť. The access is partly along narrow forest roads.
- Hrad Roštejn, Doupě 1, Telč. May-Sep daily except Mondays, Apr and Oct weekends and public holidays. Take a full guided tour or at least climb up the septagonal tower for a lovely view of surrounding forests.
Hrad Roštejn, Doupě 1, Telč. May-Sep daily except Mondays, Apr and Oct weekends and public holidays. Take a full guided tour or at least climb up the septagonal tower for a lovely view of surrounding forests.