Church of Saint Anne in Boží Dar

The Church of Saint Anne in Boží Dar stands at the heart of the highest town in the Czech Republic, high in the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) close to the German border. The Baroque building visitors see today is actually the third church erected on this exact spot, and the site's story stretches back nearly five centuries.

How do you get to the church?

The church sits right on the small central square of Boží Dar, a town better known as a ski and hiking base for the surrounding ridges. Because of its central position, it is within easy walking distance of nearly every guesthouse and parking area in town — there is no need to plan a special route, just head toward the square.

Why was the first chapel replaced?

The earliest chapel on this site was built from wood, probably in the 1530s, in an early Renaissance style. The harsh climate at this altitude proved too much for a timber structure, and the building deteriorated quickly enough that, by the end of the century, the community decided a sturdier replacement was needed.

What happened to the second church?

A stone, late-Renaissance church went up in 1593. The name of its architect was never recorded, but the building stood for nearly two hundred years. As the local population and architectural tastes shifted through the eighteenth century, this second church came to be seen as outdated, and it was torn down in 1771.

Who designed the current Baroque church?

Construction of a replacement began almost immediately after the demolition, following a design by the Prague architect Filip Heger. The work moved quickly: by 1772 the new Baroque church, dedicated to Saint Anne, was formally consecrated. That is the very building still standing in Boží Dar today.

What is worth seeing inside?

The church is regarded as one of the finest examples of late Baroque architecture in the Czech lands, even though its style is relatively restrained compared with grander urban churches of the period. The most distinctive feature inside is the ceiling, built using the so-called "Czech plank" technique — wooden boarding with reeds fastened to it — onto which frescoes were then painted directly. A ceiling built and decorated this way, in this condition, is unusual to find.

Did the church survive the twentieth century intact?

Not without difficulty. In the 1960s the roof collapsed, forcing the building to close for decades. It was not reopened until 1990, after the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia. The church had already been placed on the Czech list of cultural monuments on 17 January 1964 — notably, before the roof collapse occurred, which may have supported the case for its eventual restoration.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its high-altitude setting, Boží Dar sees long, harsh winters and largely revolves around the ski season at that time of year. The church and the square around it are most pleasant to explore from late spring through early autumn, when the weather favors walking around town and the interior is more often accessible during local services and events.

Frequently asked questions

How many churches have stood on this site? The current building is the third church here — a wooden chapel from the 1530s, a stone church from 1593, and the present Baroque church, consecrated in 1772.

Who designed the church? It was designed by the Prague architect Filip Heger, with construction finished and the church consecrated in 1772.

Was the church ever closed? Yes. Its roof collapsed in the 1960s, keeping the building closed for decades until it reopened in 1990.

What is the most notable feature inside? A ceiling built with the "Czech plank" technique and painted with frescoes — a rare survival in this condition for a church of this size.