Sudějov – St. Anne’s Pilgrimage Church and Pilgrimage Tradition

Sudějov is a place best explored through its pilgrimage church of St. Anne. The Baroque building, the chapels of the pilgrimage complex and the pilgrimage tradition form a clear focus for a stay. Other points of interest include the history of a spring, a small exhibition in the rectory, and the surrounding landscape of forests and fields. This gives you several ways to get to know Sudějov: through its architectural history, religious tradition, visual art and connection with its spring.

The Pilgrimage Church and Its Architectural History

The Church of St. Anne is a single-nave building with a recessed, three-sided apse. The apse is set back from the nave, and its three-sided termination shapes the form of the choir. The Baroque pilgrimage church was built from 1724 and consecrated the following year. The pilgrimage complex was completed in 1742 and includes ambulatories, towers and chapels. Thus, 1724/25 and 1742 mark different stages: first the construction and consecration of the church, and later the completion of the complex as a whole. This timeline helps you understand the church and the pilgrimage complex, comprising several buildings, as a unified ensemble completed in stages.

Chapels and Iconography

The chapels give the ensemble its own visual themes. They were decorated by the renowned Czech painter Václav Kramolín. A painting in the first chapel depicts the Assumption of Mary; the third chapel is dedicated to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The vault of the St. James Chapel features a painting of the liberation of Vienna from the Turks by Jan Sobieski in 1683. Thus, the Marian theme and the Crucifixion sit alongside a depiction with a specific historical connection. The chapels offer different themes rather than a single sequence of images, ranging from the Assumption of Mary to a historical scene from 1683.

Pilgrimages and Dates

Recurring events also shape the pilgrimage tradition. The revived Svatoanenská pilgrimage in Sudějov is attended by several hundred people each year. The well-attended pilgrimage festival in honor of St. Anne takes place every year on July 26. Attendance may vary, and the festival program may change; check the specific details before your trip. According to parish information (as of August 25, 2026), pilgrims and visitors can attend Mass at St. Anne’s Church every Saturday at 6 p.m. Check the Mass time before you travel. The two events offer different options for planning: Mass is a weekly event, while the festival is an annual occasion on July 26.

Spring, Exhibition and Landscape

The spring is another key to the history of the place. It was believed to have miraculous properties from an early date; Sudějov owes its origins and its name to the spring. In 1843, its water was channeled to a separate, publicly accessible chapel on the village square in front of the church. This date is part of the pilgrimage site’s historical development. Opposite the church is the reconstructed Baroque rectory, where you can visit a small exhibition about the origins and history of this pilgrimage site. Check in advance when the exhibition is open.

Sudějov lies in a picturesque landscape of forests and fields. This adds a scenic perspective to its architectural and pilgrimage history. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on the church architecture and chapel art, one of the religious events, or the history of the place.

Discover more destinations: Semtěš, Vrdy, Soběšín, Černíny, Záboří Nad Labem, Svatý Mikuláš, Horky, Čestín.

Back to the regional travel overview: Okres Kutná Hora.