Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Ligota Górna

The Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Ligota Górna is a wooden church perched on the slope of Malá Prašivá in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, on the Czech side of Cieszyn Silesia. This small, historic place of worship serves as a branch church of the parish of St. George in Dobrá, and for nearly four centuries it has marked the trail for hikers crossing the surrounding hills.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands in Ligota Górna, within the Frýdek-Místek District of the Moravian-Silesian Region. It sits on the slope of Malá Prašivá, a hill belonging to the Moravian-Silesian Beskids range. Tucked into forested terrain away from major roads, the building has long combined its role as a place of worship with that of a destination for walkers exploring the surrounding hills.

Who built the church, and when?

Construction was funded by Count George of Oppersdorf, then owner of the Frýdek estate. According to local tradition, the foundation was an act of gratitude for saving the count's life during a hunt — a wounded stag charged at him, and a servant managed to shoot the animal at the last moment. The church was built in 1640, and the first Mass was celebrated there on August 5 of that same year.

Why is the church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua?

The church did not carry its current dedication from the start. It was originally consecrated to St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. This changed in 1673, when construction began on another church carrying the same dedication — to avoid duplicating the patronage, the church in Ligota Górna received a new patron. A miracle-renowned image of St. Anthony of Padua was brought over from the church in Dobrá and has been the church's patron ever since.

What does the wooden building look like?

The church is a single-nave structure built of fir logs, a typical example of the region's timber church-building tradition, in which wood served as the primary building material for centuries. A sacristy was added in 1799, expanding the original layout. In the 19th century the building gained a bell tower, a new altar bearing an image of St. Anthony, and an organ — additions that gave the interior a more solemn character while preserving the modest, all-wood character of the structure as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

Who funded the church in Ligota Górna? Count George of Oppersdorf, owner of the Frýdek estate, funded its construction — according to tradition, in gratitude for surviving a hunting accident.

Which saint was the church originally dedicated to? It was originally dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola. Its current dedication to St. Anthony of Padua dates from after 1673.

Which parish does the church belong to? It is a branch church of the parish of St. George in Dobrá.

What material was the church built from? The church is entirely wooden, built of fir logs in a single-nave layout.

Where is the church situated in relation to its surroundings? It stands on the slope of Malá Prašivá in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, in the village of Ligota Górna, within the Frýdek-Místek District.