Madonna del Fuoco (Virgin of the Fire)
History
The saltfield workers of Cervia used to worship the Madonna del Fuoco of Forlì in a special way.
They belonged to the brotherhood of the Holy Virgin of the Fire, a sort of medieval guild or 'art', and on the 4th of February they used to send their representatives to Forlì, carrying the old crucifix from the Church of the Suffragio.
Every year, especially if the salt production had been good, they used to leave inside Forlì Cathedral rich gifts that are still shown in the sacristy of the Madonna del Fuoco Chapel. It is mostly silver lamps, chalices and various tools, all kept in a cupboard bearing Cervia's coat of arms.
A. Pasini, Storia della Madonna del Fuoco di Forlì, Forlì 1936
U. Foschi, I salinari di Cervia e la Madonna del Fuoco, Bollettino Economico della Camera di Commercio di Ravenna n.9 anno 1968
Official Tourist Information Site of Cervia