Church of Saint Anne in Skalice u České Lípy

The Church of Saint Anne in Skalice u České Lípy is a modest stone church standing on a rise at the heart of the village of Skalice u České Lípy, in the Česká Lípa District of the Liberec Region, close to the Czech-Polish border. It is easy to miss on a map of the Lusatian Mountains foothills, but for anyone interested in Baroque rural architecture or local history it makes a rewarding short stop.

How old is the site?

The story of a place of worship here goes back much further than the current building. According to local chronicles, a wooden church dedicated to Saint Anne already stood on this spot from 1362. That earlier Gothic chapel did not survive the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War — it was destroyed by Swedish troops in 1640.

The site was not abandoned for long. Between 1712 and 1720, a new stone church was raised in its place, built by master mason Kryštof Hötzel to a design by an unnamed Prague architect. The new church was solemnly consecrated on 26 July 1720 — the feast day of its patron saint.

What does the church look like?

The building is a single-nave structure, oriented on an east-west axis and closed at its eastern end by a stepped, three-sided presbytery, a layout typical of rural churches from this period in the region. A slender, prism-shaped tower with an entrance portal is attached to the west facade. A Maltese cross sits above the portal, an immediate clue to the aristocratic and religious order tied to the church's past.

Why is there a Maltese cross above the entrance?

From 1623 to 1918, this part of the village belonged to the Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta, and the order's symbols appear here more than once — not just above the portal but in other architectural details as well. It is an unusually visible trace, for a village of this size, of the Order of Malta's presence in this former Czech-Lusatian border area, a fact largely forgotten outside regional history circles today.

What can visitors see inside?

The main altar dates from around 1725, built shortly after the church's consecration. The interior holds a rich set of statues of saints, including Saint John the Baptist, Saint John of Nepomuk, Saint Wenceslas, Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, and the Virgin Mary. The walls are also decorated with a Stations of the Cross cycle painted by Josef Müller, an artist born in Skalice itself — a detail that ties the church's sacred art directly to the village's own history.

Is the church a protected monument?

Since 1965, the church, together with its boundary wall and gates, has been listed as a cultural monument, recognizing the historical and architectural value of the whole enclosed complex, not just the church building itself.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current Church of Saint Anne built? The stone church was built between 1712 and 1720 and consecrated on 26 July 1720.

Was there an earlier church on this site? Yes, a wooden church of Saint Anne stood here from 1362 until it was destroyed by Swedish forces in 1640.

Why does the church carry a Maltese cross? Because this part of the village belonged to the Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta from 1623 to 1918.

What historical features are inside the church? The main altar from around 1725, statues of several patron saints, and a Stations of the Cross cycle by local painter Josef Müller.

Is the church officially protected? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument since 1965, along with its surrounding wall and gates.