Iglesia de San Bernardo

The Iglesia de San Bernardo is a Catholic temple in the city of Palencia, in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. It was the church of a monastery for Carmelite nuns, and later Cistercians. It is designated a Monumento Histórico Artístico. In its origin, it was a hermitage dedicated to Nuestra Señora de las Candelas, which concentrated the devotion of the neighbors of that part of the city of Palencia.

The church housed the image of the Virgen de la Calle, the patron of the city, for centuries. The image on the entrance was known as the Virgen de la Calle and received veneration from travelers. In 1598, the church was remodeled with a Plateresque facade, and in later years, the body of the church was rebuilt with interventions by the architects Francisco de Praves and Felipe Berrojo.

The facade is one of the few examples of Renaissance style with Mannerist influences preserved in the city. It features a large semi-circular arch that forms the entrance, which has rich decoration of casetones in the intrados. The eaves are enriched with two deteriorated reliefs depicting the evangelical scene of the Annunciation. The church is located in the center of the city of Palencia, very close to the calle Mayor. The facade faces a narrow street, which reduces its visibility and perspective.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons