San Bernardino (Crema)
Suburb of Crema, Italy
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History
In ancient times the area belonged to Offanengo Minore – whose territory extended as far as the Serio river[2] – and probably included in remote times a Borgo San Giovanni whose origins are lost in time: according to Zavaglio they would date back to the Lombard period since that saint was much venerated by this population.[3]
From here passed a Stratam mastram que apelatur strata Offanenegi, an ancient road connecting Laus Pompeia and Brixia which, in a fork-like pattern, crossed the road for Zosani (Izano) and the royal road for Camisano.[4]
After the rebuilding of Crema, the Alfieri family owned plots in this area,[5] a house of ancient Guelph nobility and convinced supporters of the powerful Benzoni family;[6] the lands alternated with the properties of the city monastery of San Benedetto, founded by Enrico II Ghisalbertini and his wife Belisia in 1097[7] and certainly already active in 1101.[8] Four Alfieri—Redolfino, Tommaso, Antonio and Giacomo—rose to the office of prior of the monastery, as well as the monk and later rector Pasio,[5] an indication of a probable correlation between the family and the city cenobium.[5]
During his brief stay in Crema, Saint Bernardino of Siena founded the monastery of the Observants of Supravalle at Pianengo in 1421; however, due to the arrival of a good number of vocations, the upper province opened a branch outside Crema, beyond the Serio.[9]
The area saw further development starting from 1450, when the annual fair of San Michele began to be set up there, lasting eight days, to be held at the end of summer with exemption from duties, gabelles and pontatico on the Serio river.[10] Its importance grew so much in a few decades that in 1593 the Doge Pasquale Cicogna granted a subsidy of 200 ducats to build wooden shops there.[10]
The Battle of Agnadello of 1509 led to the invasion of the French, who were then driven out in 1512; but subsequent political and military events led to the siege of Crema in 1514, in defence of which the captain Renzo da Ceri had all the buildings around the walls razed to the ground. The invaders were divided into two main camps: the Sforza and the Swiss at Ombriano, the Spanish just outside San Bernardino. After the sortie of Renzo da Ceri's defences, which routed the camp at Ombriano, the Spanish commanded by Prospero Colonna withdrew and, to prevent them from returning, the monastery was demolished so that it would not be used as a base for a new assault by the invading troops.[11] To compensate the Observants for the loss, in 1517 an area within the historic centre was granted where they could build a new convent.[11]
At the end of the 16th century, the civil authorities became increasingly peremptory regarding the closing of the gates at night,[12] so Monsignor Gian Giacomo Diedo decided to establish the parish in 1594, entrusting it first to the friars dependent on the abbot of San Benedetto, then from 1609 to the secular clergy.[11]
In 1802 the municipality of San Bernardino was suppressed and aggregated to Crema, but it was restored only three years later with the name San Bernardino con Bergonzana (as written in the text of the law), but again concentrated in Crema in 1809;[13] it then regained its autonomy in 1816 (with the correct denomination: San Bernardino con Vergonzana).[14]
Two historical events took place in San Bernardino in 1848: on 25–26 March, Villa Martini was requisitioned and housed the field marshal Josef Radetzky, who was retreating with his army of 20,000 soldiers towards the Quadrilatero fortresses. A week later, on 1 April, the same residence, property of Count Enrico Martini, hosted Charles Albert of Sardinia.[15]
Anonymous, Disegno dell'insigne fabbrica della fiera di Crema, etching, 1766.
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With Royal Decree of 2 May 1869, the municipality of Castelnuovo Cremasco was suppressed and its territory incorporated into that of San Bernardino.[16] In 1891 the Canale Vacchelli came into operation, excavated starting from 1884, which skirts the built-up area to the north, coming from the bridge-canal that crosses the Serio.[17]
Between 1880 and 1931, along the route for Brescia, the Lodi–Crema–Soncino tramway ran, operated by small steam-powered convoys.[18]
The municipality of San Bernardino was definitively suppressed and aggregated to Crema under Royal Decree of 15 April 1928.[19]
In response to the increased population of Castelnuovo, on 19 March 1943 Monsignor Francesco Maria Franco decided to split the parish of San Bernardino, establishing the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.[20] It is briefly mentioned that this portion of the Cremasco area was known in the past for its kilns, numerous thanks to the particular presence of clay layers considered suitable for the purpose: in the past they were mainly craft activities, later partly mechanised during the 20th century; in the period before the First World War about 200 workers were employed there.[21]
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
Parish church
Born as a conventual church, its current forms date back to the enlargements carried out in the 18th century and, above all, in 1899 when the altar was moved back and the side aisles were added. It is flanked by a slender bell tower built to a design by the architect Girbafranti.[22]
Oratory of the Pietà
Along the road to Offanengo, once the main communication route towards Brescia, stands this small oratory built in 1611 and enlarged in 1650; due to water infiltration, it was rebuilt in 1760. It once housed an altarpiece attributed to Tommaso or Mauro Picenardi, now transferred to the parish church, while the vault was frescoed by the Galliari brothers.[22]
Oratory of Cascina Garzide di Sotto
No longer in use for worship; built in 1685 by the nobleman Marcantonio Fadini, it is dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[23]
Civil architecture
Villa Martini
Built on a 15th-century monastery, the villa was constructed between the 18th and 19th centuries by the counts Martini in a Neoclassical style and surrounded by a large park. It remains famous for having been the residence of Enrico Martini and for having hosted General Josef Radetzky on 25–26 March 1848, retreating from Milan. A few days later, on 1 April, Charles Albert of Sardinia stayed there.[22]
Villa Girbafanti
An early 20th-century residence in an eclectic style.[22]
Villa Lorenza
An 18th-century dwelling with a compact body and a five-bay portico.[22]
Villa Albergoni
It stands along the road to Offanengo, surrounded by a garden from which a lantern with a belvedere clearly emerges. Inside, it has frescoes by Gian Giacomo Barbelli.[22]
Culture
Gallery
Villa Martini.
Oratory of the Madonna della Pietà.
The Canale Vacchelli near the inhabited area of San Bernardino.
