Třešť (German: Triesch) is a town located in the west of Moravia,
in the central part of the Vysočina region. It lies on the Třešť
brook, which is a right-hand tributary of the river Jihlava, 13.6 km
southwest of the regional town of Jihlava and 11.5 km northeast of
the town of Telč. The altitude of the town is between 540 m above
sea level (Třešťský stream) and 600 m above sea level (near the
chateau).
The origins of the city, which has a population of
approximately 5,700, date back to the 13th century. The first
written mention dates from 1349. Třešť is known today mainly for its
nativity scenes. The historic core is a city monument zone.
The neighboring villages of the seat are Otín, Suchá, Dolní Cerekev,
Hodice, Batelov, Jihlava, Růžená, Panenská Rozsíčka, Jezdovice,
Kostelec, Pavlov and Vílanec.
Parish Church of St. Martin
Church of St. Catherine of Siena
Lock
The former synagogue
Jewish cemetery
Monument in the
Prison Yard
J. A. Schumpeter's birthplace, Třešť Nativity Museum
Cemetery Chapel
Marianum
Stations of the Cross - Calvary
Baroque sculptures on the Embankment
The name evolved from the variant Triesc (1349), Trzest (1355), Trzyestye, Trzestye and Trzest (1358), Trzesty (1385), Trzesczy (1406), from Strzesstye (1447), Třešczi (1490), Trzesstcze (1493), Trzesst (1513), from Trzesscze (1528), Trisch (1555), to Trzesstij (1571), to Tržessti (1593), Tržesstie (1596), Drisch and Tresst (1633), Triesch (1678, 1718, 1720), Trisch (1751). from the personal name Třešek or its diminutive Třěs.
Early Origins and Medieval Foundations (12th–15th Centuries)
Třešť, located in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic within
the Křižanov Highlands, originated as a small parish village at the
turn of the 12th and 13th centuries along the Třeštička River. This
strategic position at the crossroads of two important trade routes
facilitated its early development as a settlement. The first
documented reference to Třešť dates back to 1349, when it was
described as a modest manor including a church, a fortress, and
lands owned by Závis of Třešť. The Church of Saint Martin, the
town's oldest surviving monument, was founded in the 13th century
and completed in the second half of the 15th century, initially in
Gothic style with later Baroque reconstructions. A Jewish community
was present in Třešť from its earliest days, contributing to the
town's social and economic fabric. The fortress, which would later
evolve into Třešť Castle, was also established during this period,
with reconstructions beginning in 1513 that blended Gothic,
Renaissance, and Baroque elements, including a 15-hectare
English-style park added over time.
Early Modern Period and
Jewish Community Growth (16th–18th Centuries)
In the 16th
century, the Church of Saint Catherine of Siena was constructed as a
Lutheran church, reflecting the religious diversity and shifts
during the Reformation era in Bohemia and Moravia. The Jewish
community, already integral to Třešť, saw gradual expansion. By
1678, Jewish residents owned fields, and in 1693, they were granted
permissions to distill spirits and fatten cattle, indicating their
involvement in agriculture and early commerce. Their connections to
the textile industry began to strengthen during this time, laying
the groundwork for future economic roles. A Jewish cemetery was
established in the early 18th century, and by 1824, an Empire-style
synagogue was built, serving as a central hub for religious and
communal life. Třešť remained a market town, growing in regional
importance due to its trade routes and artisan activities.
19th-Century Industrial Boom and Cultural Traditions (1800s)
The
19th century marked a transformative era for Třešť, shifting from a
craft-based economy to industrialization. Jewish entrepreneurs
played a pivotal role in this development, establishing production
in furniture, matches, textiles, and engineering. This industrial
surge made Třešť the largest market town in Moravia by the late
1800s. Culturally, the tradition of crafting nativity scenes (known
as "betlemy" in Czech) emerged over 200 years ago, likely in the
early 19th century, as a family heritage passed down through
generations. These scenes evolved from simple painted figures to
intricate wooden carvings depicting not just biblical stories but
also local landmarks like Třešť Castle, churches, and historical
figures such as Emperor Charles IV, President Tomáš Garrigue
Masaryk, and modern athletes like Ester Ledecká. The practice became
a symbol of community identity, blending folklore with
craftsmanship, and exhibits of this tradition can be seen in local
museums, highlighting 19th-century innovations in design.
Early 20th Century: Town Status, Notable Connections, and Decline of
Jewish Community (1900–1945)
In 1901, Třešť was officially
elevated to town status, reflecting its economic and demographic
growth. The population expanded from 4,634 in 1869 to around 5,000
by the early 1900s, peaking at 5,948 in 1991. A notable literary
connection emerged when young Franz Kafka spent his summer holidays
in Třešť from 1900 to 1907 with his uncle, Siegfried Löwy, a local
physician; a small exposition on this link is housed in the former
synagogue. Industrial progress continued with the founding of the
textile company Vývoj in 1931, which still operates today and
notably produces uniforms for the Vatican's Swiss Guard. However,
the Jewish community, which had driven much of the town's
prosperity, began to decline in the first half of the century and
was tragically eradicated during the Holocaust, with only remnants
like the synagogue, cemetery, and a monument to victims preserving
their legacy.
Post-War Era and Modern Developments
(1945–Present)
After World War II, Třešť focused on rebuilding
and preserving its heritage. The historic town center, with its
well-maintained architecture, was designated an urban monument zone.
The nativity scene tradition endured and gained formal recognition
in 2015 when it was inscribed on the List of Intangible Assets of
Traditional Folk Culture of the Czech Republic. Annual events like
the Nativity Scenes Journey (from December 26 to February 2, where
private homes open to display scenes) and the Feast of Carvers
(Dřevořezání, held July 5–6 since 2002, featuring communal carving
of a massive nativity with over 1,300 figures by 2022) celebrate
this custom. A permanent exhibition is available at the House of J.
A. Schumpeter, which doubles as a tourist information center. The
Vysočina Museum branch in Třešť (located in Schumpeter's house)
covers nativity scenes, the castle's history, the Schumpeter family,
and industrial heritage. Třešť Castle, once a museum, now serves as
a chateau hotel amid scenic hills and forests. The town, with about
5,800 inhabitants today (including parts like Buková, Čenkov, and
Salavice), maintains international ties, twinned with Obergünzburg
in Germany and fostering relations with Raabs an der Thaya in
Austria. Notable natives include economist Joseph Schumpeter
(1883–1950, born in Třešť), military officers Josef Jiří Švec
(1883–1918) and Jaroslav Rošický (1884–1942), and actor Otto Šimánek
(1925–1992). Surrounding natural features, such as the Velký Špičák
National Nature Reserve, enhance its appeal as a historical and
recreational destination.
Location and Administrative Context
Třešť lies in the Vysočina
Region (Highlands Region) of the Czech Republic, within the Jihlava
District. It is positioned approximately 14 km southwest of the regional
capital, Jihlava, and about 150 km southeast of Prague. The town's
geographic coordinates are roughly 49.29°N latitude and 15.48°E
longitude. Administratively, Třešť serves as the center for its
municipality, which includes the town itself (population around 5,800)
and several smaller villages such as Buková, Čenkov, and Salavice. The
surrounding area is rural, with nearby towns like Telč to the south and
Kostelec u Jihlavy to the north providing regional connectivity via
roads and rail. The town is accessible by the E65 highway from Prague or
Brno, exiting toward Jihlava and following Route 602 toward Telč.
Topography and Geology
Třešť is nestled in the Křižanov
Highlands, a mesoregion characterized by its horseshoe-shaped expanse
covering 2,722 km², with an average elevation of 536 m. This highland
forms the western Moravian part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands
within the ancient Bohemian Massif. The terrain is predominantly hilly,
with rolling plateaus, deep valleys, and forested ridges formed during
the Variscan orogeny (a major mountain-building event around 300-400
million years ago). The bedrock consists mainly of migmatite, granite,
and gneiss, overlain by soils such as fluvisol (in river valleys) and
cambisol (on slopes), which support agriculture and forestry.
Within
Třešť's municipal territory, the topography varies from valleys around
500 m to higher hills. The highest point is Špičák hill at 734 m, the
second-highest in the entire Křižanov Highlands (after Harusův kopec at
741 m). Other notable elevations include Mařenka (711 m), Ještěnice (710
m), and Havlína (706 m) in the broader region. The landscape is
moderately rugged, with slopes conducive to hiking and outdoor
activities, but not alpine in nature. This setting creates a
transitional zone between the flatter Bohemian plains to the west and
the more mountainous Moravian areas to the east.
Hydrography
The hydrology of Třešť is defined by small streams and a abundance of
man-made fishponds, typical of the Czech Highlands where water
management has been practiced for centuries. The primary watercourse is
the Třešťský potok (Třešť Stream), which flows through the town center,
originating from nearby hills and eventually joining larger river
systems. The Křižanov Highlands as a whole serve as a watershed, with
major rivers like the Jihlava (flowing north toward the Elbe), Oslava
(tributary of the Jihlava), and Thaya (flowing south toward the Danube)
originating here.
The area is notably rich in fishponds, many dating
back to medieval times for fish farming and water retention. These
ponds, scattered across the municipal territory, help regulate local
flooding and provide habitats for aquatic life. Annual precipitation
supports these features, but the region is not prone to major rivers or
lakes, emphasizing a network of smaller, interconnected waterways.
Climate
Třešť experiences a temperate continental climate with
moderate oceanic influences, featuring warm summers, cold winters, and
even precipitation distribution with a summer peak. As part of the
highlands, it is slightly cooler and wetter than lowland areas like
Prague. Using data from nearby Stařeč (about 25 km south, similar
elevation and geography) as a proxy, the annual temperature range is
from around 24°F (-4°C) in winter lows to 74°F (23°C) in summer highs.
The growing season lasts about 187 days (mid-April to late October),
suitable for agriculture.
Precipitation averages 20-25 inches
(500-600 mm) annually, with snowfall common in winter (snowy period from
early November to late March). Winds are moderate, peaking in winter (up
to 11.5 mph in February), predominantly from the west. Cloud cover is
higher in winter (up to 67% in November), with clearer skies in summer
(60% clear in July). Humidity remains low year-round, with minimal muggy
days.
Vegetation, Fauna, and Protected Areas
Forests cover
about 47% of the Křižanov Highlands, dominated by managed plantations of
spruce, lime, maple, and birch, with some oak and beech in lower areas.
This mixed deciduous-coniferous woodland supports diverse fauna,
including deer, foxes, birds of prey, and small mammals. The region's
ponds and streams host fish like carp and trout, reflecting historical
aquaculture.
A key protected area is the Velký Špičák National Nature
Reserve (75.7 ha), encompassing the summit of Špičák hill and its
slopes. Established to preserve rare highland peat bogs, meadows, and
old-growth forests, it protects endangered species like bog orchids and
butterflies. The reserve highlights the area's biodiversity, with
limited access to trails for eco-tourism. Overall, Třešť's geography
fosters a balanced environment for human settlement, recreation, and
conservation.