Zámek Telč will open in June and on a limited basis due to renovations.

Telč - Although the government allowed monuments to reopen on May 25, the chateau in Telč in the Jihlava region will not open until June at the earliest. The exact date has not yet been determined according to the castle administrator Bohumil Norek. It is certain that visitors will face a limited tour due to measures against the spread of the coronavirus and the ongoing renovation of the chateau, which began in the spring. Only route B will remain accessible. Entry will need to be reserved in advance by phone or email. Only small groups of visitors will be allowed inside.

"It depends on what conditions will be set. There must be some distance between us when we walk on route B; we won't take more than ten people. It will depend on the hygiene conditions, which are not yet clear," said Norek. Disinfectants and protective equipment will be covered from the operational expenses of the chateau. According to Norek, the number of necessary guides is also likely to increase to serve more groups with fewer visitors. Up to three additional guides may join the four current ones. The explanations will probably be delivered while wearing protective visors. "We can't imagine being in masks all day, but we'll see. We'll have to adhere to commands and directives," said Norek.

The chateau in Telč is the most visited monument in the region. Up to 100,000 people pass through it annually. Due to the renovation, the administrator expects a significant decrease in the number of visitors. Restrictions due to the coronavirus will intensify this further. "It's hard to guess if we will even reach 40,000 people," said Norek.

The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), which manages the chateau, has selected Geosan Group for the renovation. The costs are 167 million crowns. Currently, work is being done on the small courtyard where the route A tour usually begins. Visitors will not see it this year. Due to the facade repairs, it is almost entirely covered with scaffolding.

A new visitor center will be created on the ground floor behind the courtyard. A new storage room and a chateau museum will also be installed. "Visitors will see an overview of the history of the town and the chateau there. It will be an offer for further more detailed tours," said the administrator.

The renovation of the chateau, for which the NPÚ received a European grant from the Integrated Regional Operational Program, must be completed by the end of 2022. The total costs for construction, installation of new exhibitions, or restoration of about 400 pieces of furniture will exceed 200 million crowns.

The new museum, storage room, and heated parts of the tour routes will have an extended visitor season starting in 2023. Previously, the chateau was closed from November to March; after the renovation, it will probably only be closed for the first two months of the year, said Norek.