On the slopes of Mount San Martino , not far from the Basilica of San Calocero, stands the Convent of San Bernardino , founded by the Observant Fathers in 1467, the second community of Friars Minor in Albenga after that of San Francesco. The choice of location, secluded yet close to the Roman Via Iulia Augusta and the city center, reflected the spirituality of the Observants, who favored solitary environments for prayer and meditation.
The church was consecrated on October 9, 1480, thanks to donations from citizens who wished to be buried within the convent. Over the following centuries, the building underwent numerous expansions: new rooms, additional floors, and external staircases. There were challenges: with the arrival of French troops at the end of the 18th century, the convent was transformed into a hospital and barracks; the friars were forced to move, and the structure fell into disrepair. Only in the 19th century, after several closures and reopenings, and with the anticlerical laws of the Kingdom of Sardinia, did the convent return to the municipality. It was used as a prison, a gymnasium, and then as a barracks for the Army Engineers until the Second World War. Only in the 1960s did the first restorations begin, which continued until the 1990s, bringing the complex back to its original splendor.
The exterior
The church's façade is a significant example of 15th-century Ligurian architecture, where traditional Gothic style coexists with the architectural concepts of the Observant Friars, who advocated simple yet durable materials. The black stone portal with a pointed arch is surmounted by a frescoed lunette depicting the Madonna and Child, Saint Catherine, and Saints Francis and Bernardine , while a circular oculus completes the façade. The pilasters and hanging arches under the roof retain late Gothic elements.
The church
Inside, the single nave was originally divided into two spaces: the faithful's at the front, and the friars', with the presbytery and main chapel, at the back. The Gothic cross vaults, black stone keystones, and four side chapels reflect the geometric balance and spirituality of the Observant friars. Among the chapels, the one dedicated to Saint Bernardino retains traces of frescoes with Franciscan saints, while others were dedicated to the Ascension, the Assumption of the Virgin, and the Annunciation.
Fresco of the Last Judgement
On the north wall, a masterpiece from the second half of the 15th century by the brothers Tommaso and Matteo Biazaci depicts the Last Judgement : divided into four sections, it shows Paradise , the infernal punishments of the seven deadly sins, and the contrast between celestial order and infernal chaos. Detailed scenes illustrate purified souls, the damned, the Archangel Michael, and even Leviathan. The frescoes had a didactic and moral function, with particular attention to Hell.
The convent and the cloister
The complex adapts to the slope of Mount San Martino: the church on the south side, the cloister on two sides, and the monastic rooms spread across two levels. The cloister, now preserved on only two sides, was connected to the refectory, parlor, kitchen, infirmary, and library. The monks' cells, now renovated, testify to the architectural evolution from the 15th to the 19th century.
The first floor
Here were dormitories, cells for elderly and sick friars, the library, and the infirmary. The cells, enlarged in the 17th century, feature traces of Franciscan pictorial decorations, while after the conversion into barracks, they became quarters for officers and non-commissioned officers. The north wing was expanded at the end of the 19th century, creating new dormitories to accommodate up to 180 men.
The green trail ends here!
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