The Singing Lime: A Tree That Carries Song, Shelter, and Memory
In the village of Telecí in eastern Czechia stands one of the country’s most remarkable living landmarks - The Singing Lime or The Lukas Lime. Estimated to be over 700 years old, this majestic large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos) has long been a silent witness to village life, faith, and imagination. With its massive trunk and spreading crown, it is not only a botanical monument, but also a keeper of stories deeply rooted in place.
A Hollow Filled With Stories
What makes the Singing Lime truly exceptional is its large hollow trunk, which lies at the heart of the tree’s most famous legend. According to local tradition, at the end of the 17th century a man known as Jiroušek sought refuge inside the tree while secretly copying banned religious texts. As he worked, he is said to have sung psalms loudly, unaware of his own voice due to impaired hearing. To those passing by, the sound seemed to come directly from the tree itself, giving rise to the belief that the linden was singing.
Experts note that the hollow as large as it appears today likely formed later, as a result of wood-decaying fungi. It is therefore believed that Jiroušek may have entered the tree from above, through an opening higher in the trunk. This detail adds another layer to the story, showing how legend and natural processes gradually intertwined, shaping both the tree and the narrative around it.
Today, the hollow is carefully protected, yet it remains a powerful symbol — of shelter, quiet resistance, and the human need for refuge and expression.
A Tree and a Home, Growing Side by Side
The Singing Lime stands next to a traditional wooden cottage, and together they form a single, inseparable scene. For centuries, the tree and the house have grown side by side, each shaping the character of the other. The linden offered shade, shelter, and presence; the house gave the tree a human context — voices, footsteps, and everyday life unfolding beneath its branches. Today, the house owners continue this close relationship by caring for the tree and have even established a small on-site museum dedicated to its history and legend, ensuring that its story remains alive for future generations.
A Cultural Icon Beyond the Village
Over time, the Singing Lime has inspired writers, musicians, and visitors. Its image has appeared on municipal coat of arms, postage stamps, carrying its story far beyond Telecí and turning the tree into a symbol recognised across the country. The linden also appears in local visual culture and memory, further strengthening its role as a cultural emblem rather than merely a natural curiosity.
In 2021, during the national Tree of the Year competition, a strong and vibrant community formed, involving local residents, schools, families, and supporters from far beyond the village not simply to support a candidate, but to celebrate the tree as a living symbol of continuity and belonging.
In the European Tree of the Year 2022 competition, the Singing Linden placed 7th with over 28,600 votes, showing that its voice — once heard in legend — still carries across Europe today.
