Church of Saint Anne (Lanškroun)

The Church of Saint Anne is a small Baroque church in Lanškroun, a town in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic, close to the Polish border. Standing on the grounds of a former cemetery, the building no longer serves a parish function today – it is an unused Roman Catholic church, administratively part of the Diocese of Hradec Králové. Despite the lack of regular services, it remains one of the more valuable examples of Baroque sacred architecture in the region and draws visitors during local cultural events.

How was the church built?

The church was constructed between 1700 and 1705 on the site of an already existing cemetery. Its construction was funded by Václav František Zimprich, dean of Lanškroun, who dedicated part of his estate to the project, with additional financial support from the princely House of Liechtenstein, which held patronage over the town at the time. The design is attributed to architect G. P. Tencalla, associated with Baroque building projects across Moravia and Bohemia. The church thus came into being through a combination of local clerical ambition and aristocratic financing – a pattern typical of Baroque religious construction in the region during this period.

What can you see at the site?

The Church of Saint Anne is a single-nave building without a tower, which sets it apart from many other churches in the area and gives it a more modest, though still elegant, silhouette. The main draw is its richly decorated entrance portal. Above the doorway stands a sculpture of Saint Anne holding two children in her arms, while statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Joachim occupy niches on either side. This sculptural ensemble makes the façade one of the more interesting examples of Baroque decorative carving in Lanškroun, and it rewards a few extra minutes spent studying the stonework and the arrangement of the figures.

Can visitors go inside?

The church no longer fulfills its original liturgical purpose and is normally closed to visitors. The interior is opened only on special occasions, including Noc kostelů (Night of Churches), when historic churches across the Czech Republic open their doors to the public, and Den architektury (Architecture Day), which includes themed tours of the building. Anyone planning a visit should check the local events calendar in advance, since the church keeps no regular opening hours.

How do you get to the church?

The church stands within the town of Lanškroun, which is easy to reach both from within the Czech Republic and from the nearby Polish border crossing. Lanškroun sits along the main roads connecting the Pardubice Region with neighboring areas, and the church itself, built on a former cemetery site, occupies a quiet, less busy part of town – a good stop for a short walk while exploring the town's other historic sights.

Why is it worth visiting?

The Church of Saint Anne is an example of Baroque sacred architecture that has survived to the present day despite losing its original function. For history and architecture enthusiasts, it offers a glimpse of a building created through the joint efforts of local clergy and the powerful House of Liechtenstein, while for visitors touring Lanškroun it adds an extra stop that rounds out the picture of the town with a lesser-known but worthwhile landmark.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Church of Saint Anne open every day? No, the church no longer holds regular services and is opened to visitors only during special events such as Night of Churches or Architecture Day.

When was the church built? It was constructed between 1700 and 1705 on the grounds of a former cemetery in Lanškroun.

Who financed the construction? The project was funded by Lanškroun dean Václav František Zimprich, with additional support from the House of Liechtenstein.

What is the church's main highlight? Its richly decorated entrance portal, featuring a sculpture of Saint Anne with two children flanked by statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Joachim in side niches.