Bernardin ...
... je super lokacija ... med oleandri, palmami, grmički rožmarina, lovorja in sivke najdemo marsikaj! Če imamo viška denarja, ga lahko potrošimo ali povečamo v casinoju (hazarderstvo je na lastno odgovornost 
). Če smo lačni, je tukaj celo število gostiln, ki nam napolnijo želodec in izpraznijo denarnice. Lahko si sprostimo in razvajamo telo v wellness centrih. Tudi poroke so tukaj zelo priljubljene. Če pa nam zmanjka časa za vse planirane aktivnosti, lahko ostanemo tukaj kak dan več in prespimo v številnih okoliških hotelih.
Seveda, pa se na Bernardinu da uživati tudi brezplačno ... OK, res je, da je kak euro za povsod plačljiv parking le potrebno prispevati ... Ampak sončenja, sprehajanja in vdihovanja morskega vetra nam nihče ne bo zaračunal ... Zaenkrat! Na enem takih pohajkovanj sva odkrila tole cerkvico in vedno se rada vračava k njej. Počakava sončni zahod, občudujeva novoletne lučke ali pa se le nadihava svežega zraka.
Cerkvico je postavil Janez Kapistran, misionar in velik pridigar 14. stoletja. Bil je velik zagovornik miru in skupaj z voditelji tistega časa ter Jankom (Janošom) Hunjadijem je igral veliko vlogo v boju proti Turkom. Samostan in cerkev z zvonikom je postavil v 15. stol. na željo Pirančanov, ki so sledili njegovemu frančiškanskemu (observantskemu) redu. Posvetil ju je svojemu prijatelju in učitelju Bernardinu Sienskemu, delovala pa sta še leta in leta po njegovi smrti, vse do leta 1806, ko je bil ukinjen samostan, leta 1830 pa je avstrijska vojska zavzela cerkev zaradi njene strateške lege za obrambo zaliva. Žal sta danes od nekdanjega samostana ohranjeni le markanten zvonik, prezbiterij cerkvice in podporni zid z oboki. Pa vendar so še vedno čudoviti. Del ostankov bi lahko bila tudi (danes predelana) razgledna ploščad, od koder se odpirajo čudoviti razgledi na Piranski zaliv … Tudi ti so brezplačni
Bernardin ...
... is a great location ... amongst oleanders, palm trees, rosemary, laurel and lavender bushes, it is full of possibilities. If we have any extra money to spend, we can increase or decrease the amount in casinos (gambling at your own risk ). If anyone is hungry, a whole range of restaurants can be found in vicinity. We can relax and spoil ourselves in wellness centers, plus weddings in this area are also quite popular. Moreover, if we run out of time to do it all in one day, there is a number of hotels that would be lucky to host us.
Of course, one can enjoy Bernardin also free of charge. Well, there is always some payable parking space … But the sunbathing, walking and breathing in the fresh sea breeze are free … So far! On one of such walks, we have discovered this cute church and we are always happy to come back. We wait for the sunset, we look at the X-mas lights or just breath in the fresh air.
The church was built by John of Capestrano, a misionary and a well known preacher of 14th century. He was a big believer in peace and together with leaders of that time and Janoš Hunjadi, he played a big role in the combat against Turks. The monastery and the church were built in 15th century, upon the wish of people of Piran, so they can follow his franciscan observant order. John dedicated the church and monastery to his teacher and friend Bernardin of Siena. The buildings stayed open long after they had both died. In 1806 the monastery was shut down and in 1839 the Austrian army took charge of the area and the church, since it had a very good layout for defending the bay. Unfortunately, today, only a distinctive church tower is preserved, a presbytery of the church and supporting wall with the arches. A part of the remains can be considered also a (today newer) platform for observing the Piran bay … you can enjoy the view – also free
