Dolenjske Toplice, St. Ann Church
The parish church of St Anne is first mentioned in a document from 1334. Originally known as the Church of Our Lady in Toplice by Rožek, it was later dedicated to St Anne. The present church is based on the remains of an earlier building, a medieval church from the late 15th century. This is particularly evident in the sanctuary, with its distinctive ground plan and bricked-up Gothic windows. Another surviving element is the Gothic portal in the choir gallery. The medieval Gothic church was
surrounded by walls during the period of the Turkish invasions. One tower, complete with loopholes, and part of the defensive wall can still be seen on the south side of the church. The present church was built, or rather thoroughly remodelled, in 1656. The plans were in all likelihood drawn up by the then parish priest, Matija Kastelic, who was also an architect and a well-known writer of devotional works. He is commemorated by the inscription "1648 MK" on the baptismal font, the church's
oldest surviving fitting.
The high altar, the work of an unknown craftsman, dates from 1786. It is a fine example of the more tranquil Late Baroque style. The main part of the altar is filled by a "throne" – a gilt-framed niche housing a statue of St Anne. Next to it stand statues of St Joachim, St Peter, St Joseph and St Paul. The upper section of the altarpiece, below the canopy and above the distinctive predella, which is split in the middle, contains a rich and dynamic group representing the Coronation of Our
Lady. The church also has some fine stained-glass windows, the work of Ivan Pengov.























