Svatá Anna

Svatá Anna is a small Baroque roadside shrine featuring a statue of Saint Anne, standing beside a steep path that climbs toward Litice Castle, roughly 570 metres west of the village of Litice nad Orlicí in the Ústí nad Orlicí District, Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It's the kind of modest, easily overlooked sacred marker that has for centuries lined pilgrimage and hiking routes across the Czech countryside — while also offering a convenient resting point for travellers making their way up toward the castle ruins.

What does the statue depict?

The sculpture shows Saint Anne as an elderly woman, dressed in a long, flowing gown with a small hood covering her head. She holds a book in her hands — an attribute referencing her traditional role as a mother and teacher, associated with passing on knowledge and faith to younger generations. The figure itself stands about 150 centimetres tall, giving it a near life-size presence that remains visible from some distance along the path.

The statue rests on a four-part pedestal 185 centimetres high, made up of a base block, a prismatic shaft with volute-shaped wings, a cornice-capped section, and a plinth directly beneath the sculpture. The whole structure sits on a foundation plate 20 centimetres high. This kind of layered pedestal construction is typical of Baroque roadside shrines across the Czech lands and reflects the care that local patrons put into even small, community-level devotional monuments.

When was it made?

Based on its style and form, the statue is dated most likely to the second half of the 18th century — a period when many similar roadside statues of saints were erected across Bohemia, often funded by local communities as an act of thanksgiving or a votive offering. The exact patron and the precise circumstances of its creation are not recorded, which is a common fate for this type of modest sacred monument.

Where exactly is it located?

The shrine stands along a path that climbs steeply toward the hill on which Litice Castle sits. At the point where the ascent briefly levels out, a handful of small cottages and a wooden bell tower can also be found — the statue of Saint Anne symbolically watches over this small cluster of buildings. It's a picturesque spot that blends sacred, architectural, and landscape elements into a single scene typical of the foothill villages of the Ústí nad Orlicí region.

Why is it worth a stop?

Svatá Anna isn't a destination one visits on its own — it's better understood as a waypoint on the route to Litice Castle, adding a layer of historical context to the walk. For anyone interested in small-scale sacred architecture and Baroque folk sculpture, though, it's a fine example of how local communities in the 18th century marked important routes and resting points with signs of faith. It's worth pausing for a moment to look at the details of the pedestal before continuing the climb toward the castle ruins, carrying with you the memory of this modest but characterful statue.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Svatá Anna from Litice nad Orlicí? About 570 metres west of the village, along the path leading to Litice Castle.

From what period does the statue date? Most likely from the second half of the 18th century.

What is Saint Anne holding in her hands on the statue? A book — a symbol of her role as a teacher and mother passing on knowledge.

Are there other landmarks nearby? Yes, a wooden bell tower and a few small cottages stand close to the statue.