St. Ann's Chapel

St. Ann's Chapel in Samobor is a Baroque church set in the wooded Anindol park on Tepec hill, a short walk above the centre of this Croatian town. Locals treat it as far more than a monument: it is a favourite walking destination, the stage for an annual festival, and the subject of a song often called Samobor's unofficial anthem.

Where is St. Ann's Chapel?

The chapel stands in the Tepec forest, inside Anindol, a promenade and recreation park on the edge of Samobor. You reach it on foot from town. That makes it easy to combine with a stroll through town.

What is the history of the chapel?

The chapel is considered the youngest of Samobor's Baroque sacred buildings. It is first recorded in 1677, although construction began earlier. The year 1751 appears behind the main altar and on the bell. According to records, the Auersperg counts, powerful landowners in the region, paid for it. The building has been renovated several times since.

What is inside?

The interior holds three altars decorated with Baroque paintings from the 18th century. The chapel is protected as cultural heritage in the second category, which reflects its value for the region. It is small, so a visit is brief, and much of the charm lies in the setting among the trees.

Why is the chapel so famous in Samobor?

In 1937 Marko Vukasović wrote the song "Kod kapele svete Ane" ("By the Chapel of St. Ann"). It portrays the chapel as a place for meetings and socialising, and over time it became one of the town's symbols, sometimes described as an unofficial Samobor anthem. Thanks to it, nearly every resident knows the chapel by name, even people who have never climbed the hill.

What else is on Anindol?

A little higher on the slope you will find St. George's Chapel. Stations of the Cross line the path between the two, so the walk can double as a small pilgrimage. Above St. Ann's, a dance platform known as the "tanc-plac" was built for local celebrations.

When is the feast of St. Ann?

The key date is 26 July, St. Ann's Day, when Mass is held at the chapel. The main celebration, the traditional Aninovo "proštenje" fair, takes place on the first Sunday after the feast. Crowds of residents and visitors fill the Tepec forest, and the clearing turns into a festival with music, food and dancing.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? The chapel sits in a public forest park, and reaching it requires no ticket.

Is it suitable for a family walk? Yes. Anindol is a promenade and woodland park, so the route is pleasant for adults and children, especially in summer when the trees give shade.

Is this the same place as the English village of St Ann's Chapel? No. The name also belongs to a village in England, but this chapel is in Samobor, Croatia, close to Zagreb.

When is the best time to visit? The feast period at the end of July is the most atmospheric. At other times the hill is quiet and ideal for a spring or autumn walk.

What can I combine with the visit? St. George's Chapel higher up, the Stations of the Cross, Samobor's old town and the local hiking trails that start nearby.