Church of Saint Anne

The Church of Saint Anne stands in the village of Slavkov, in the Opava District of the Moravian-Silesian Region, and is the main landmark of this small settlement in Czech Silesia.

Where is Slavkov and how do you get there?

Slavkov lies about 4 km southwest of Opava and roughly 31 km west of Ostrava, the two largest cities in the region and the most convenient starting points for a visit. The village covers just over 11 square kilometres, sits at an elevation of around 299 metres, and today has a population of about 2,150. It's a quiet Silesian farming village with little tourist traffic, so a visit to the church tends to be calm and uncrowded compared with better-known monuments nearby. The easiest way in is by car along local roads from Opava; there's no major train station in the village itself, so public transport requires changing in Opava.

What is the history behind the Church of Saint Anne?

The first written record of Slavkov dates back to 1224, when King Ottokar I of Bohemia granted the village to the city of Opava — making it one of the region's settlements with a genuinely long, documented administrative history. The current church, however, is considerably younger: it was built in 1657 on the site of an earlier place of worship that had stood there before. In the first half of the 19th century the building underwent a substantial reconstruction that gave it the form it retains today. In the same century, a Chapel of Saint Barbara was added to the church, extending the structure with an additional sacred space.

What can you see when you visit?

The Church of Saint Anne is an example of village sacred architecture typical of the Opava region, combining a 17th-century Baroque origin with 19th-century remodelling. A distinctive feature of the complex is the attached Chapel of Saint Barbara, which gives the church a more layered, multi-part outline. Slavkov itself, though small, is a settlement with medieval roots, so a stop at the church can easily be paired with a walk through the village's historic layout and the surrounding Silesian farmland.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the church functions as an active parish church rather than a museum, the best opportunity to see the interior is during services. The Opava Silesia region is most pleasant to explore in spring and summer, when longer daylight hours make it easy to combine a stop in Slavkov with a trip into Opava itself or the surrounding villages of the district.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Church of Saint Anne located? In the village of Slavkov, Opava District, Moravian-Silesian Region, about 4 km southwest of Opava.

When was the church built? The current building dates from 1657, replacing an earlier church on the same site; it was substantially rebuilt in the first half of the 19th century into its present form.

Is there anything else of interest at the site? Yes — a Chapel of Saint Barbara was added to the church in the 19th century.

Does Slavkov have a long history? Yes — the village is first mentioned in writing in 1224, when King Ottokar I granted it to the city of Opava.