The Romanesque tower is the oldest structure in Telč, built in the first half of the 13th century. It was probably part of the no longer existing church built for the farmstead of the the royal steward who administered the king’s properties in the region. Its height of 49 meters (160 feet), but prior to a fire in 1655, the tower was 2.5 meters (8 feet) taller. The fire also destroyed the original clock it was replaced in 1687. The tower sits on the highest spot of the relatively flat town.

In 1993 the tower was extensively restored enabling it to be open to the public.