Forlì, city of Patron and Saints

Saint Valeriano, the first patron saint of Forlì and certainly the most controversial, lived during the Roman era in what is now the Romiti neighborhood—where the Church of Santa Maria del Voto stands—leading the life of a “romito, ” or hermit.

An Uncertain Identity

This saint’s history is described as controversial and uncertain because, although he has been credited with miraculous deeds and is remembered as an expert in exorcisms and a skilled preacher, in 1967 the Congregation for Divine Worship decided to remove the day dedicated to him from the calendar, May 4.

The reasons stem from doubts about his identity: over the centuries, in fact, he has been identified with the soldier-martyr of the same name from Forlì, whose feast day is already celebrated every November 22. This version would seem to corroborate the legend according to which, after being enlisted in the Forlì army, the soldier Valeriano fought in Romagna against the Goths and died in battle in what is now the San Varano neighborhood.

His relics, preserved immediately after his death in a place of worship whose location has never been identified, were later transferred to the Cathedral around 1267.

Must see

• the marble lunette at the entrance to the Church of the Carmine, which depicts the saint.
• the painting by Livio Modigliani, “Saint Valeriano Preaching to His Fellow Roman Soldiers,” on display at the Civic Art Gallery in the San Domenico Civic Museum.

Curiosity

The saint, now a co-patron of the city, was also depicted on horseback in armor on the ancient coat of arms of the City of Forlì.

The history of Forlì’s first patron saint is intertwined with that of its current patroness: Our Lady of the Fire.
In fact, inside the Cathedral today, visitors can see, side by side, the chapel dedicated to Saint Valerian and the chapel dedicated to the patroness of Forlì. Here is preserved a 15th-century depiction of the patroness, one of the oldest known woodcuts , which played a central rolein the miraculous event witnessed by the people of Forlì.

The Miraculous Event

On the night between February 4 and 5, 1428, a fire destroyed a school located on what is now Via Cobelli. When the flames were extinguished, the people of Forlì realized that the image of the Virgin Mary—which the students had used for prayer—had remained intact; it had not burned nor had it been blackened by smoke.

To know

The statue of the Virgin Mary, placed on the column in Piazza Duomo, stands 2.35 meters tall. Carved from Carrara marble by the sculptor Clemente Molli, it was originally located in Piazza Saffi, from where it was removed in 1909 and placed in the Church of San Filippo Neri.
It was not until 1928, after years of bitter political controversy, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Miracle, that the statue was returned to Piazza del Duomo, atop the restored ancient column.

Curiosity

In 1948, thanks to a small group of families who wanted to help children understand the significance of the event celebrated on February 4, children began hanging drawings and flowers on the railing surrounding the Column of the Madonna del Fuoco in Piazza del Duomo. Every year, this tradition—known as “Fiorita”—is repeated.

Event

Every February 4, on the Feast of the Madonna del Fuoco, the traditional market takes place between Piazza Saffi and Piazza del Duomo.

To taste

The Madonna del Fuoco piadina, a typical oval-shaped sweet bread with anise seeds.

Among Forlì’s co-patrons is Saint Mercuriale, who was appointed the city’s first bishop in the 5th century.

The Life of Saint Mercuriale

The saint’s life is shrouded in mysteries, legends, and imaginative tales, many of which stem from the artistic depictions of his exploits.
The most famous event is undoubtedly his battle against—and subsequent defeat of—a dragon that was terrorizing the city and the entire Romagna region, bringing death and disease: a successful feat in which Bishops Ruffillo of Forlimpopoli and Gaudenzio of Rimini also played a part.
Although details are scarce and little is known for certain, the life of Saint Mercuriale arouses great curiosity, especially due to recent studies conducted on his relics.

Must-see

• the painting by Ludovico Cardi depicting the saint subduing the dragon (Mercuriali Chapel)
• the work by Giacomo Zampa depicting Mercuriale blessing the city of Forlì, presented by an angel (right aisle).

Curiosity

• In 1601, the relics of Saint Mercuriale were permanently placed in the Mercuriali Chapel, at the end of the right aisle of the abbey of the same name, while his head was placed on an altar in the Church of the Holy Trinity.
• Between 2018 and 2019, several scholars conducted analyses on the remains and concluded that the head and the remaining parts of the body do indeed belong to the same person: At the time of his death, Mercuriale was between 50 and 60 years old and of Asian, possibly Armenian, origin.
• The feast day dedicated to the saint was originally celebrated on April 30, but to avoid overlapping with that of Saint Pellegrino, which falls on May 1, it was moved to October 26—the day in 1601 when the decision was made to place his remains where they are today.

Must do

Climb the bell tower of San Mercuriale, from the top of which you can admire a breathtaking view of the city. The bell tower is open, however, only during the celebrations of the Madonna del Fuoco, for the Feast of San Mercuriale, and in conjunction with other events.

The final stop on our itinerary is the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi, also known as the Church of San Pellegrino, named after Forlì’s last illustrious co-patron, Saint Pellegrino Laziosi, whose remains are enshrined there.

The building, located in front of the current Provincial Palace, despite various alterations over the centuries, still bears traces that attest to its ancient origins (circa 1250).
The 17th-century interior, in stark contrast to the austere terracotta façade, features a three-nave layout. On the right is the Chapel of San Pellegrino, dating from the 18th century and decorated with multicolored marble, where a glass case protects the saint’s relics.

The Life of the Saint

Pellegrino Laziosi participated as a political activist in many battles against the Guelphs and, after converting to the faith, joined the Order of the Servants of Mary. He completed his novitiate in Siena and returned to Forlì. The miraculous event that established his veneration and led to his canonization in 1726 concerns the illness that struck him at age 60, from which he recovered the day before he was scheduled to undergo surgery. Saint Pellegrino is now, in fact, the patron saint of those suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses.

Event

The San Pellegrino Fair takes place every year on May 1 near the Church of San Pellegrino, in the area between Piazza Morgagni and Via Mercuriali. On this occasion, citrons—whose therapeutic properties were used by Pellegrino Laziosi to comfort those suffering from cholera, fever, and the plague—are brought to the church for a blessing and then eaten at the table.