The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

The name of the settlement is derived from the Slavic (including modern Czech) word kel, which means 'tusk'.

The town recovered in the 16th century and a brewery was founded, which became a major source of income for the townspeople.

The prosperity ended with the Thirty Years' War, when the town was burned and looted several times and the population decreased by 80%.

With restructuring after World War II, Kelč again lost its town status.

The originally late Gothic castle from 1585–1596 was rebuilt in the 17th century in the Renaissance and later in the Baroque style.