St. Bernardino Church

Welcome to Portorož, a beautiful coastal town in Slovenia. As your tourist guide, I would like to take you on a tour of the former monastery church of St. Bernardine of Siena, which is now part of the Bernardin hotel complex. The church was built in 1452 by St. John Capistrano, a priest of the Minor Friars order who was a peace mediator, traveling preacher, religious reformer, and confessor. He was taught by St. Bernardine of Siena, who is still considered one of the greatest popular speakers of all time. The Observants came to Istria in the mid-15th century, and in 1450, St. John Capistrano, then the general vicar of the Observants, agreed to build a post for his order outside the walls of Piran at the request of the Piranese. The choice of location is consistent with the northern Italian medieval Observant monasteries, all of which were built on somewhat isolated but strategically important sites. The monastery was completed and inhabited in 1452. Today, the bell tower and presbytery of the former Franciscan monastery church of St. Bernardine of Siena are preserved on the Bernardin. The church also had a chapel of Our Lady of Grace, which was consecrated around 1490. In his Church Topography, Bishop Paolo Naldini of Koper wrote only that the church was large and bright and adorned with marble altars and precious paintings, and about the medium-sized monastery building that it rises to dormitories, is surrounded by workshops, and stretches between gardens and floors. Visitors can admire the beautiful architecture and learn about the history of the church and monastery while enjoying the stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. The Bernardin hotel complex offers a variety of amenities, including restaurants, bars, and a spa, making it an ideal place to stay while exploring the area. Thank you for choosing me as your tourist guide, and I hope you enjoy your visit to the former monastery church of St. Bernardine of Siena in Portorož.

Location: Piran Municipality

Source: Wikimedia