Telč honors noblewoman who helped revive city after Thirty Years' War

The historic town of Telč has unveiled a memorial to Countess Františka Slavatová, an influential 17th-century noblewoman credited with helping the city recover and develop following the devastation of the Thirty Years' War.

The glass plaque was unveiled Saturday in the courtyard of Masaryk University's Telč center, marking the 350th anniversary of Slavatová's death. It stands near the entrance to the crypt beneath the Church of the Name of Jesus, where the countess was originally buried.

Created by sculptors Alena Matějka and Lars Widenfalk, the memorial was partly funded through a public collection that raised CZK 109,000 from around 50 donors.

Slavatová, Countess of Meggau, was an important figure in Telč's history and also served as a governess to the future Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I.

In Telč, she helped establish the city's Jesuit complex, including a college, the Church of the Name of Jesus and the former Jesuit convict. The buildings today form part of Masaryk University's university center.

Telč Castle manager Roman Dáňa credited Slavatová with helping the city flourish after the Thirty Years' War and Swedish invasion had left it badly damaged.

"She brought education to a city that had been devastated by the Thirty Years' War and, in a way, restarted the city after that period of hardship," Dáňa said.

Slavatová died on Sept. 22, 1676. Telč has dedicated much of its 2026 cultural program to her legacy, including exhibitions, lectures, special castle tours, a conference and a Baroque pilgrimage.

Her name will also become a more permanent part of the modern city. A new park being developed on the site of Telč's former winter stadium, close to the historic center, is due to be completed next year and will be named after Františka Slavatová.