Located on the banks of the river Piave near the ancient pontoons of the boat pass, it is one of the oldest churches in the territory of Borgo Valbelluna.
It has an important history dating back to the 12th century. Dedicated to the monk of the Cistercian Order Saint Bernard, named the "Protector of the Contado of Cesana", it was first attested on 5 March 1295. This attestation was followed over the centuries by other quotations that stressed its historical importance.
Today its structure consists of a single room with the entrance to the side, but over the years it was modified several times due to the severely damage in 1938 and the First World War.
Thanks to the discovery of the original floor below the present one, it was possible to reconstruct the ancient layout of the building. The church was originally incorporated into a pre-existing building to create the apse and the side door and to raise the ceiling twice.
It contains the altarpiece of "Our Lady with Child in Glory" perhaps attributable to Francesco Frigimelica the Elder (seventeenth century). After the recent restoration of 2008, you can admire the splendid series of frescoes, which can be placed between the second half of the thirteenth and the end of the fourteenth century, composed of twenty-eight figures attributable to the hands of four masters who made the church of St.Bernardo unique throughout the territory of Belluno.
It can be visited on the occasion of the opening of the association Frammenti d'arte, during the festival week of the patron - August 20 - and on paarticular occasions.
For all information contact the association Amici di Cesana ONLUS or the local tourist office.
