Chapelle Saint-Bernardin (Saint Bernardin Chapel), Antibes

The Saint-Bernardin Chapel is dedicated to Saint Bernardine of Siena, a revered Franciscan orator from Tuscany. Recognized as a historical monument since March 13, 1995, the chapel showcases remarkable architectural elements, including a pediment adorned with intricate bas-reliefs and pinnacles depicting white penitents in hoods, along with a symbolic head of Lucifer. The portal, crafted from walnut and fir, stands as a testament to the gratitude of Antibes' populace for divine protection during the 1580 plague outbreak in Provence.

Inside, visitors are greeted with an altar adorned with Baroque-style gilded wood columns embellished with acanthus leaves, complemented by a bell tower backdrop. The 16th-century frescoes adorning the chapel's walls depict the apostles' table, while the 17th-century altarpiece, possibly originating from the Convent of the Shoemakers, features intricate details. Statues of saints James, Sebastian, and Bernardine of Siena grace the chapel, while the trompe-l'oeil painting on the central ceiling portrays the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, Christ, and Saint Bernardin amidst Latin inscriptions.

The apse ceiling, painted in ultramarine blue with starry motifs, adds to the chapel's ethereal ambiance. Additionally, visitors can explore a vaulted chamber housing a reproduction of Antoine Aundi's painting "The Descent from the Cross," further enriching the cultural experience within the Saint-Bernardin Chapel.