Church of the former Convent of San Bernardino, Cemetery

In the mid-15th century, the population of Erbusco felt the need to establish a convent to be entrusted to the Conventual Franciscan Friars. In 1454, a papal bull gave a favorable opinion. Father Blessed Amedeo Menez de Silva, renowned for his holiness, was called to Erbusco by some noblemen. In 1465, he completed the construction of the convent and took possession of it along with fourteen Amedeiti friars who led a contemplative life there.

From 1588, the Amedeiti friars merged into the Observant Order and were commonly called “zoccolanti” fathers because of the wooden clogs they wore. During the 17th and 18th centuries, they raised the Church.

The only representation of the convent complex is seen in a fresco in the large cloister of the Church of San Giuseppe in Brescia, which shows that the convent was located entirely to the south of the Church of San Bernardino.

On January 8, 1771, following a decree from the Republic of Venice, the convent was abandoned and destroyed. Only the Church with the title of the Immaculate Conception was mentioned in 1792. In 1813, the Church became the property of the municipality, and the surrounding area became a cemetery for the Parish of Erbusco and the village of Villa Pedergnano.

The only original element of the ancient Church of the Convent of San Bernardino is the large porch with three central arches supported by four columns made of Sarnico stone, which preceded the simple facade with a rose window in the center and a gable roof.Inside, the church has a single nave with a very simple architectural design.

Following restoration and consolidation works carried out by the Municipality, which were completed in 2008, interesting frescoes were uncovered on the south wall of the Church.