St Anne's Church in Zieleniec

St Anne's Church in Zieleniec is a filial church of the St Francis and St Leonard parish in Duszniki-Zdrój, built of fieldstone in the Neo-Romanesque style.

Building the church

The present church was built at the initiative of Father Augustyn Grund, parish priest in Zieleniec from 1890 to 1918. It replaced an earlier wooden church from the 18th century. Fieldstone, so-called erratic boulders, was used in the construction, and the whole was kept in the Neo-Romanesque style, also visible in the sandstone portal. It was consecrated on 4 October 1904 by the Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Leo Skrbenský.

Furnishings and surroundings

Outside the church stand Baroque figures: a Crucifix from 1866 and a figure of Our Lady from 1862, the work of Johann Postler, moved here from the earlier wooden church. The main altar houses a painting of St Anne and Joachim, along with figures of the apostles Peter and Paul. The Franciscans, who look after the church, carried out a thorough renovation in 1966. In 1974 a cemetery was set up and enclosed next to the church, with a historic sandstone crucifixion group made in 1899.

The skiers' church

Because of its proximity to the Zieleniec ski resort, the church also serves as a place for a short rest in winter, between runs. Nearby it's also worth visiting the Museum of Papermaking in Duszniki-Zdrój and the Torfowisko pod Zieleńcem nature reserve.

Practical information

• Address: Zieleniec, Duszniki-Zdrój municipality, Kłodzko County
• Getting there: Zieleniec lies a few kilometres from the centre of Duszniki-Zdrój, reached by a local road
• Accessibility: the church belongs to an active parish; Mass times are worth checking directly with the parish before a visit