# Třešť

Třešť (Czech pronunciation: ; German: Triesch) is a town in Jihlava District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,800 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

## Administrative division

Třešť consists of four municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):
* Třešť (5,058)
Buková (91)
* Čenkov (129)
* Salavice (173)

## Geography

Třešť is located about 14 kilometres (9 mi) southwest of Jihlava. It lies in the Křižanov Highlands. The highest point is the Špičák hill at 734 m (2,408 ft) above sea level. The summit of Špičák with its surroundings is protected as the Velký Špičák National Nature Reserve with an area of 75.7 ha (187 acres). The stream Třešťský potok flows through the town. The municipal territory is rich in fishponds.

## History

The first written mention is from 1349, when the Church of Saint Martin was documented. Třešť was originally a small parish village on the crossroads of two trade routes. Since its establishment, the Jewish community has been in Třešť.
Třešť was known for crafts and in the 19th century for its industry. The production of furniture and matches was established and textile and engineering industry flourish. The industrial boom was the work of Jewish entrepreneurs. The Jewish community declined in the first half of the 20th century, and disappeared as a result of the Holocaust.
Until 1901, Třešť was the largest market town in Moravia. In 1901, it was promoted to a town.

## Demographics

| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1869 | 4,634 | — |
| 1880 | 5,108 | +10.2% |
| 1890 | 5,520 | +8.1% |
| 1900 | 5,555 | +0.6% |
| 1910 | 5,858 | +5.5% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1921 | 5,628 | −3.9% |
| 1930 | 5,741 | +2.0% |
| 1950 | 5,219 | −9.1% |
| 1961 | 5,606 | +7.4% |
| 1970 | 5,578 | −0.5% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1980 | 5,805 | +4.1% |
| 1991 | 5,948 | +2.5% |
| 2001 | 5,933 | −0.3% |
| 2011 | 5,771 | −2.7% |
| 2021 | 5,451 | −5.5% |
Source: Censuses :

## Economy

Since 1931, the textile company Vývoj has been operating in the town. Uniforms for the papal Swiss Guard are made by this company.

## Transport

Třešť lies on the railway line Havlíčkův Brod–Slavonice. The town is served by two train stations, Třešť and Třešť-město.

## Sights

The Church of Saint Martin was founded in the 13th century and is the oldest monument in the town. Its current appearance is result of Baroque reconstructions.
The Church of Saint Catherine of Siena was founded in the 16th century as a Lutheran church. After it was damaged by fire, it was renewed in 1842.
Třešť Castle was created by reconstruction of a fortress from 1513. It has a 15 hectares (37 acres) large English style park. Nowadays it serves as a hotel.
The Jewish community is commemorated by the Empire building of the former synagogue from 1824, by the Jewish cemetery founded in the early 18th century, and by the Monument to the Jewish Victims.

## Notable people

* Josef Jiří Švec (1883–1918), military officer
* Joseph Schumpeter (1883–1950), Austrian political economist
* Jaroslav Rošický (1884–1942), military officer
* Otto Šimánek (1925–1992), actor

## Twin towns – sister cities

Třešť is twinned with:
* Obergünzburg, Germany
Třešť also has friendly relations with Raabs an der Thaya in Austria.