St Anne's Chapel, Pińczów

St Anne's Chapel is a square-shaped structure standing on a hilltop in Pińczów and crowned by a distinctive dome with a lantern. Built from local limestone, the building's clear geometric form and domed top create a striking vertical accent that rises about 43 feet (13 meters) above ground.

The chapel was designed around 1600 by Italian architect Santi Gucci for Margrave Zygmunt Myszkowski. Its construction was linked to the defensive systems of Pińczów castle, showing how religious architecture served broader strategic purposes at that time.

The chapel has served for centuries as a focal point for devotion to Saint Anne, drawing worshippers who sought intercession in family matters. Today visitors can sense how this place remains a spiritual gathering point where people come for reflection.

The chapel sits on a hilltop that is accessible via a footpath, offering views of the structure from a distance. Visitors should note that access depends on specific opening occasions, particularly around religious holidays, so checking ahead is advisable.

This structure stands as one of Poland's earliest freestanding domed buildings created purely for worship. Visitors who explore the north and east sides will notice remnants of fortification walls that reveal how it was once integrated into the castle's defensive network.

Location: Pińczów

Architects: Santi Gucci

Architectural style: mannerism

GPS coordinates: 50.52060,20.52670

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:07