Exhibitions for the Year of Františka Slavatová in Telč 2026

Telč has dedicated 2026 to celebrating the 350th anniversary of the death of Františka Slavatová (1609–1676), Countess of Meggau, a patron and founder of the Jesuit complex whose generous support transformed Telč's Inner Town into an architecturally unified ensemble inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A joint project of seven institutions – Masaryk University, the City of Telč, the Museum Association, the Museum of Vysočina Jihlava, the National Heritage Institute, the Roman Catholic Parish, and Telč State Castle – offers a diverse programme from spring to autumn 2026.

The main exhibitions are "Slavatovs and the Telč Estate" (castle and Masaryk University Centre, 1 April–31 October 2026) and "Traces of One Woman" in the Telč museum (29 April–31 October 2026), featuring works by students from GOB and SOŠ Telč. Educational programmes "Discover the Era of Františka Slavatová" are prepared for schools at the museum and Roštejn Castle. The project also includes archaeological research of skeletal remains from the crypt beneath the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus and an exhibition of the countess's unique gloves during castle tours in May and September.

On 13 June, a Baroque pilgrimage to the Chapel of St. Charles Borromaeus takes place. The entire project culminates on 19 September with a requiem mass in the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus and a solemn unveiling of a memorial plaque (created by sculptor Alena Matějka) in the courtyard of the University Centre. A public fundraising campaign is also underway for the memorial plaque – the goal is to raise 100,000 CZK, organized by the Museum Association in Telč.