Church of Saint Anne

Church of Saint Anne stands in Žižkov, Prague's third district, at the junction of Jeseniova and Tovačovského streets. This modest yet architecturally distinctive Roman Catholic church was built in the early 20th century as a subsidiary parish church and today remains connected to the neighbouring Carmelite monastery.

How do you get to the Church of Saint Anne in Žižkov?

The church sits in a densely built residential part of Žižkov, one of Prague's most characteristic districts, known for its Art Nouveau and early modernist architecture from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The district is well connected to the city centre by tram and metro. From the street, the building is easy to spot thanks to the two lower towers and small bell turret crowning its entrance facade on Jeseniova street.

What is the history behind the church?

Construction was initiated by the Society of St. Boniface, which originally intended to dedicate the new church to St. Norbert. That plan met resistance from part of the nationalist-minded public of the time, and the church was ultimately consecrated to St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, instead. According to parish records, construction cost 200,000 crowns, and the church was consecrated on 8 October 1911. Just five years later, in 1916, a Carmelite monastery was built right beside the church, designed by architect Antonín Procházka. The Discalced Carmelites took over the care of the parish at that point and have remained responsible for it ever since. Because of its historical and architectural value, the church and its adjoining monastery have been protected as a cultural monument since 2002.

What does the architecture look like?

The church was designed by architect Eduard Sochor in the so-called Beuron Art Nouveau style, a sacred-art movement rooted in the Benedictine abbey of Beuron that combines Art Nouveau ornament with simplified, geometric stylisation. Here, that style is further blended with the aesthetics of pre-war modernism, giving the building an unusual profile compared with Prague's classical churches. It is a three-aisle structure oriented unconventionally toward the west, whereas most Christian churches face their sanctuary east. The entrance facade is flanked by two relatively low towers, topped off with a small bell turret.

What will you see inside?

Despite the compact plot, the interior feels both intimate and open, thanks to a wide central nave and galleries set above the side aisles. The ceiling stands out for its striped, ornamental paintings featuring cross motifs, a decorative signature of the Beuron style. Together these elements create a cohesive, close-knit liturgical space that feels noticeably different from Prague's more monumental Baroque or Gothic churches.

When is the best time to visit?

As an active parish church run by the Carmelite order, it is best experienced during regular services or during public heritage events such as the annual Night of Churches, when sacred buildings across Prague open their doors to visitors outside normal hours. It's also worth pairing a visit with a walk through the surrounding Žižkov streets, a district valued for its low-key, lived-in character, a contrast to Prague's more touristy historic centre.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Church of Saint Anne in Žižkov? The church was designed by architect Eduard Sochor in the Beuron Art Nouveau style, combined with elements of early modernism.

Why is the church dedicated to Saint Anne rather than Saint Norbert, as originally planned? The original plan to dedicate the church to St. Norbert met opposition from part of the nationalist-minded public, so the patronage was changed to St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary.

Who takes care of the church today? Since 1916 the church has been in the care of the Discalced Carmelites, whose monastery, designed by Antonín Procházka, stands right next to it.

Is the church a protected heritage site? Yes, the church together with the adjoining Carmelite monastery has been protected as a cultural monument since 2002.