The church of San Francesco Regis, also called the oratory of San Francesco Regis or the church of the poor of the Misericordia, stands on via De Amicis, in Forlì, and is dedicated to Saint John Francis Régis.
What to see
It was built in 1772, largely with materials recovered from the demolition of the nearby church of San Francesco Grande, attached to the old hospital. It is a fine example of neoclassical architecture, built at a time when costly Baroque art was fading in Forlì; the façade dates from 1790. Inside, the decorations are by Davide Cavazzoni.
From the old church of San Francesco Grande it also keeps a slab that had been the crowning of the tomb of Caterina Rangoni Ordelaffi, who died in 1467, showing the double coat of arms and a garland held by an angel.
Visiting
The church is on via De Amicis; opening hours and use of the oratory should be checked on the spot or with the parish, because the sources consulted do not give them.
Our editors' tip
Look for the slab of Caterina Rangoni Ordelaffi with the double coat of arms: it is one of the few traces left of the church of San Francesco Grande, with whose materials this oratory was built.
