San Fermo Church is located inside a monastery also including a small cloister and a courtyard. The construction period is uncertain, while the discovery of the Saint’s relics is still a legend. According to the legend, the church was built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Pale. The first mention of the all-female Benedictine monastery called S. Fermo “in campis” can be found in the papal bull by Pope Anastasius IV, dating back to 19, march 1154. The church as a simple gabled façade, while the interiors house the ark with the bodies of Holy martyrs Fermo, Rustico and Procolo.
The remains were moved to the Cathedral in Bergamo’s Upper Town in 1575, after the decision of Saint Carlo Borromeo: this is why the ark is currently empty. On the wall above the ark you can admire the painting representing the Holy martyrs Fermo, Rustico and Procolo. The painting’s background is a fine representation of the old city of Bergamo. After being suppressed during Napoleon’s dominion, the monastery opened back in November 4th 1824 and it is currently a religious community.
Bibliography: IBCAA Comune di Bergamo; Lombardia Beni Culturali