The church of San Bernardo is a religious building in Vigevano, in the diocese of Vigevano, dedicated to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
What to see
The first church dedicated to the saint of Clairvaux, of unknown date, was outside the city walls and was pulled down at the will of Ludovico il Moro in 1498, to build new fortifications. A few years later, according to Simone dal Pozzo, it was rebuilt where it stands today. It was enlarged for the first time in 1575 and then in 1672, when it took on its present structure; the choir was built in 1576.
Also in 1672 the base, raised above the street, was built, and beside it the gallows for public executions were set, later moved to the vanished church of Santa Giuliana. The façade dates from 1908, designed by Galliani and painted by Francesco Mazzucchi in 1960. The altar dates from the seventeenth century and is in polychrome marble.
Visiting
The church is in Vigevano. The sources consulted give no opening hours or visiting arrangements: check them.
Our editors' tip
In the left-hand side chapel is a fresco of the Magi which, according to the sources, is the only one in the whole diocese.
