Corporate Body
Colegio de San Bernardo de Cervera (Lleida, España)Alternative forms (other languages) Other forms
from XVII to 1767
There are few data about this institution, which is located in Cervera (Lleida). The sources consulted point out that it was possibly constructed between 1697-1698 by Pablo de Aguilar or Aquilles. It is known that it co-existed with the Catalan University of Cervera (1718-1848) and it created cultural works together with it. The College of San Bernardo gave lessons on Grammar, Humanities and Latinity when these disciplines stopped being taught in the University. In 1767, as it happened with the rest of Jesuit schools in Spain, it stopped operating due to the Pragmatic Sanction published by Charles III (1759-1788). Later, this college became the "Seminario de los Ochenta" (for students), created by Charles III. The monarch had already planned a training centre that complemented the University and that supposed an economic support for it. The lack of resources and interest by the University stopped its creation. The opportunity arrived with the Jesuits' expulsion. He took advantage of their buildings and incomes. Jaume Balmes (1810-1848), a philosopher, theologist and politician was one of its distinguished students.
The architectural complex that took up the College of San Bernardo belonging to the Society of Jesus counted on a long history. It is nowadays the nursing home Madre Janer, the municipal auditorium and the chapel of the Virgen del Incendio. The Catalan Courts were gathered in this space. They were chaired by Peter the Ceremonious and considered to be a milestone in the creation of the “Generalitat de Catalunya”. The pre-nuptial agreement between the Cathoilc Monarchs was signed in 1452.
Pragmática sanción de su Magestad en fuerza de ley para el estrañamiento de estos Reynos á los Regulares de la Compañía, ocupación de sus temporalidades, y prohibición de su restablecimiento en tiempo alguno, con las demás precauciones que expresa. En Madrid en la Imprenta Real de la Gazeta. 1767-04-02
PARES: Código Referencia:ES.28079.AHN/3.1.2.19.52//
Madoz, Pascual (Madrid, 1846-1850). Diccionario geográfico-estadístico-histórico de España y sus posesiones de Ultramar.
Documentos de la Compañía de Jesús en el Archivo histórico nacional: Inventario por Araceli Guglieri Navarro,... Introducción de Francisco Mateos, S.J.AHN, Editorial Razón y Fe, 1967.
VV. AA: Historia de la Educación en España y América. La educación en la España Moderna. Siglos XVI-XVIII. Vol. II. Madrid: Ediciones Morata-Ediciones SM, 1993.