San Bernardo alle Terme

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San Bernardo alle Terme
English name:	St Bernard's at the Baths
Dedication:	St Bernard of Clairvaux
Denomination:	Roman Catholic
Type:	Abbey church
Clergy:	Cistercians of Common Obervance
Titular church	Varkey Vithayathil, C.SS.R.
National church:	No
Built:	1598
Architect(s):
Artists:	Andrea Sacchi
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San Bernardo alle Terme was built in 1598 in a rotunda of the Baths of Diocletian, given to a French Cistercian reform, the Feuillants. It was paid for by Caterina Nobili Sforza, a niece of Pope Julius III. The Feullaints were suppressed during and after the French Revolution, and the Italian monasteries belonging to the reform established the Congregation of San Bernardo. The church is now served by Cistercians of Common Observance from the Congregation of San Bernardo.

The current titular priest of the church is H.E. Varkey Vithayathil, C.SS.R., who was appointed on 21 February, 2001.

[edit] Interior

The structure is cylindrical, crowned by a dome with a diameter of nearly 25 metres (72 feet). The magnificent interior of the dome is decorated with octagonal coffers, and at the apex is an oculus, an opening that allows light to enter the church.

Around the walls are eight statues of saints and two side altars. The altars are dedicated to St Bernard and St Robert of Molesmes, founders of the Cistercian Order.

On the right side is a painting by Andrea Sacchi of the Venerable Jean de la Barrière, founder of the Feuillant reform.

The Chapel of St Francis is an addition to the ancient rotunda.

The German painter Johann Friedrich Overbeck, founder of the Nazarene art movement, is interred here.