A brief presentation of the Chilean city of San Bernardo, in a few words, is the mysterious cradle of the Incas in the past and the famous vineyards and wineries in the present. However, between these two historical periods, there were times of Spanish conquest and evangelism, the construction of colonial mansions, and Catholic shrines. Unfortunately, the masterpieces of architecture were mercilessly destroyed by endless earthquakes. So all locals could do was to build new ones and move relics of the old churches and the remains from the destroyed crypts. Therefore, all the stories of local temples are similar. There are only a few churches that sweep you off your feet, drowning out the noise of the streets and squares. This can be said about the main Catholic monastery of the city, the residence of the Bishopric of the province, the St. Bernard Cathedral.
The first cathedral was built there in 1820. Locals had been praying there for 150 years until an earthquake struck San Bernardo and destroyed its houses and shrines. Citizens had tried to restore the religious building several times before it had to be completely demolished. Then the construction of a new temple began in its place. At the celebration of the anniversary of the Catholic Church in 2000, the city received its long-awaited St. Bernard Cathedral. On the same day, Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos consecrated the cathedral and held the first mass there.
The cathedral has modern architecture that respects the conditions of the Catholic clergy. Inside it, there is a baptismal font from the first cathedral, dating from 1864, and a wooden crucifix of the 18th century. It also has contemporary paintings by the famous Chilean artist Juan Francisco Echeñique.
In the lower part of the temple is a crypt with the remains of the founder of San Bernardo Don Domingo Eizaguirre. They were transferred there from the crypt of the destroyed temple.