Santa Croce, Forlì
# Santa Croce, Forlì

The Cattedrale di Santa Croce (Italian for 'Cathedral of the Holy Cross') is the Roman Catholic duomo of Forlì and the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Forlì-Bertinoro.

## History

The Cathedral of Santa Croce existed as early as 562; in 1419 Pope Martin V ordered restorations that were completed in 1475; and it was again enlarged in 1841. A noteworthy part of the cathedral is the chapel of the Madonna del Fuoco; the sacred image contained there was formerly in a private house, where it remained unharmed during a fire. Also worthy of mention are: the church of San Mercuriale, with its celebrated bell-tower, the work of Francesco Deddi (1428); San Biagio, with frescoes by Melozzo da Forli and Palmegiani, and an Immaculate Conception by Guido Reni; Santa Maria dei servi (built by Blessed Pellegrino, buried there), with frescoes of the school of Giotto. The seminary has a rich collection of 500 Aldine first editions and of pictures. Near Forli is the shrine of Santa Maria delle Grazie of Forno.

## Notable maestri di cappella

* Giulio Belli (around 1600)
* Clemente Monari (1713–1729)
* Gasparo Garavaglia (around 1752)
* Ignazio Cirri (1759–1787)
* Giovanni Battista Cirri (1787–1808)
* Andrea Favi (1808–1822)
