Church of Saint Anne (Modletín)

The Church of Saint Anne in Modletín is a modest Baroque church standing beside the road at the southern edge of the village, in the scenic Železné hory (Iron Mountains) region of eastern Bohemia. It combines simple rural architecture with a centuries-old pilgrimage story that once drew both locals and travelers to this quiet corner of the countryside.

Where is Modletín and how do you get there?

Modletín is a tiny village of roughly twenty houses and fewer than two hundred residents, sitting at an elevation of over 580 metres above sea level, a few kilometres from the town of Chotěboř. The surrounding Železné hory range is a hilly, forested landscape popular with hikers and cyclists. The easiest way to reach the church is by car from Chotěboř, following the local road that leads straight into the village; the church itself is visible from a distance, as it stands right along the main approach road.

How did this church come to be?

The site's story begins with a wooden chapel dedicated to Saint Anne, built above a spring where, according to local legend, the saint once appeared. Word of the spring's healing water spread quickly: the sick came here seeking relief, and the reputation of the water reached well beyond the local area. Among those said to have used water from the Modletín spring was František Palacký, the father of Czech historiography, who often stayed at his son-in-law's castle in nearby Malč and had the water sent all the way to Prague.

Over time the wooden chapel was replaced by a stone structure, and the building most likely took its current form as a church at the end of the 17th century, when the local estate owner, a certain Schmiedel of Schmieden, had the chapel enlarged and converted into a full church. The bricks used in construction were fired in nearby Přemilov and, according to local tradition, carried to Modletín on the backs of two camels — still one of the most memorable anecdotes attached to the site.

What is there to see on site?

The church has retained the modest Baroque character typical of village churches in this region — unpretentious, but carrying the genuine atmosphere of a place of worship that has served the local community for centuries. Since 2008 the building has been leased from the Diocese of Hradec Králové by the Benediktus organization, which has carried out restoration work, with intensive efforts continuing through 2009–2010. As a result, the church and its surrounding grounds have been cleaned up and protected from further decay, giving the site a second life as a destination for both the faithful and travelers looking for quiet spots off the main tourist trails.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its location in the Železné hory at an elevation above 580 metres, the best time to visit is from late spring to early autumn, when the surrounding hiking and cycling trails are fully accessible and the landscape is at its most scenic. In winter, reaching this small village can be more difficult due to mountain weather conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Church of Saint Anne in Modletín known for? The legend of Saint Anne's apparition at a nearby spring and a centuries-long pilgrimage tradition tied to the spring's supposedly healing water.

Can you visit the church inside? The building is cared for by the Benediktus organization, which has run restoration work here since 2008 — it's worth checking locally for current access to the interior.

How do you get to Modletín? The easiest option is by car from nearby Chotěboř, along the local road leading directly into the village; the church stands at its southern edge.

Where does the site's history come from? The village grew up around a wooden chapel built over Saint Anne's spring; over time it was replaced by a stone, Baroque church that took its present form at the end of the 17th century.