Church of Saint Anne

The Church of Saint Anne is the oldest surviving building in Jablonec nad Nisou, standing right in the historic centre of this Czech town in the Jizera Mountains foothills. The baroque church was built between 1685 and 1687, commissioned by Countess Marie Polyxena Desfours, though conservation surveys suggest the presbytery could actually date back to the first third of the 17th century - decades before the rest of the structure. These days the building no longer serves a religious purpose: since 2004 it has belonged to the city and now operates as a concert and exhibition hall.

How do you get there?

The church sits in the centre of Jablonec nad Nisou, so it's an easy walk from the train station or the main square. Its coordinates are 50.7227, 15.1684, which makes it straightforward to plug into any navigation app. The town itself lies in the Liberec Region, close to the Polish border, and is a common day-trip destination from Jelenia Góra or Liberec.

What's the story behind the building?

The church went up in stages. The main body was completed first, without a tower, in the second half of the 17th century - the tower itself wasn't added until twenty years later, in 1706. The sacristy is considerably younger, dating from 1842. Over the following centuries the building underwent repeated repairs: records show nine major renovation campaigns between 1747 and 1890 alone. In the 19th century the church also received a historicizing makeover in the neo-Renaissance style, which is largely responsible for its current, somewhat eclectic architectural look. Today it's listed as a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

What will you actually see on a visit?

On the southern side of the church stand a propitiatory cross and a statue of the Virgin Mary, worth a brief stop before heading inside. The building itself, while modest in scale, makes an impression thanks to the tower added in the early 18th century and the visible traces of later alterations in the facade detailing. Inside, the standout feature is a three-manual organ installed during the renovation completed in 2006 - it's the reason the church has hosted regular organ and chamber music concerts ever since.

Are religious services still held here?

No - the building no longer functions as a parish church. Since the city took it over in 2004 and finished renovating it, the space has operated as a cultural venue, hosting concerts, exhibitions and other events. The city has plans to go a step further and turn the church, together with the former rectory next door, into a municipal museum, cementing its role in Jablonec's cultural life.

When is the best time to visit?

It's worth checking the local events calendar before heading over, since concerts and exhibitions are the main draw here now, unlike a typical parish church that's open for viewing on most days. The interior is best experienced during one of these cultural events, when you can actually hear the organ in action rather than just see it up close.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Church of Saint Anne the oldest building in Jablonec nad Nisou? Yes, it's the oldest surviving structure in town - its main body dates from 1685-1687, and some experts believe the presbytery could be even older.

Can you attend a mass or pray here? No, the church has belonged to the city since 2004 and now serves a secular purpose as a concert and exhibition venue, with no regular religious services.

What's inside the church? The main highlight is a three-manual organ installed in 2006, used during the musical concerts regularly held at the venue.

Who funded the construction of the church? It was built through the patronage of Countess Marie Polyxena Desfours in the second half of the 17th century.