Chapel of Saint Anne, Baroque chapel in Panenské Břežany, Czech Republic

The Chapel of Saint Anne is a baroque religious building in Panenské Břežany with an unusual shape made up of geometric forms. The structure features triangular and pentagonal patterns that define its overall design.

Built between 1705 and 1707 to a design by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, the chapel was commissioned by Františka Helena Pieroni da Galiano, abbess of the Benedictine convent of St. George at Prague Castle, and executed by builder Filip Spannbrucker. It stands in the park of the Upper Castle, the nuns' summer residence. Apart from a sacristy added in 1738, it has never been rebuilt.

The chapel is dedicated to Saint Anne Samotřetí, meaning Anne with her daughter Mary and grandson Jesus, which is why three side chapels radiate from the central hexagonal nave. The main altar carries sculpture from the workshop of Matěj Václav Jäckel, dated 1707.

Visitors should observe the geometric shapes carefully, as they are visible from both outside and inside. The best way to understand the building is to walk slowly through the space and follow the patterns.

The building was designed with very precise proportions in which certain numbers hold special meaning. This mathematical precision makes it a rare example of architecture that combines faith and mathematics in a deliberate way.