In the middle of the buildings of the Bernardin complex is preserved church tower of the former Benedictine monastery. The monastery and the church were built in year 1452 on the initiative from St. Janez Kapistran (1386 – 1456), a priest of the Franciscan order, who was a peacemaker, a travelling preacher, confessor and monastic reformer. His teacher was St. Bernardin of Siena.

Although he was only a deacon, he began to preach quite fast and became one of the most popular folk speakers of all times. Before his death St. Janez Kapistran strongly advocated that for a saint his friend Bernardin of Siena would also be proclaimed. He succeeded in year 1450, at the same time he also dedicated the church to him. The monastery with the church St. Bernardin was abolished in year 1806, as all the other monasteries in the area of Istria. Of course, if they had not already been dissolved with the decree of Joseph II. in year 1783.

Austrian army took the monastery building and changed it into a fortress to defend the bay, later the building was used by tax and customs administration. By the former mighty remainders, in immediate vicinity, a viewing platform is located, from where a beautiful view on the bay of Piran opens.

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