A bearing device for supporting a rotary body relative to a fixed portion in a noncontact state includes a superconducting bearing assembly comprising an annular permanent magnet portion fixedly mounted on the rotary body concentrically therewith and an annular superconductor portion disposed as opposed to the permanent magnet portion. A magnetic bearing assembly is disposed axially away from the superconducting bearing assembly and comprises electromagnets for controlling the position of the rotary body with respect to two radial directions orthogonal to each other. <IMAGE>
