Holy Cross and St Joseph’s was erected at the end of the 1500s. Young boys were given refuge next door. It changed its name various times and in 1808 the church was suppressed. The Minor Franciscan Order took it over in 1981. Art work by Marchesi, Breviglieri circa 1735 and quite recent artists Lorenzo Ceregato, Gino Mazzoni.

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Santa Croce e San Giuseppe Photos

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About Santa Croce e San Giuseppe

This church was constructed at the end of the 16th century and dedicated to St Anthony of Padova. It was annexed to the Santa Croce Conservatory next door which was erected in 1586 by Bonifacio Delle Balle and according to records was to cater for boys ‘in danger’. This referred to young boys who may have been homeless, in particular, the sons of prostitutes.

This first painting depicting the Adoration of Shepherds is from 1735 and attributed to Giovanni Breviglieri. It was restored in 2001 by the workshop of Patrizia Cantelli and paid for by Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.

In the middle of the ceiling is this large symbol recalling St Bernardino. This was probably painted here in recent years after the Minor Franciscan Order took control here in 1981 he was once a visitor in the nearby church of Osservanza and therefore highly regarded among the Order.

On the ground level just under this first altar are a few reliquaries. There’s no details about them however. These paintings are also probably quite recent. This one depicts quite typically Franciscan brothers out preaching to the people.

The next one along here is behind a glass window. It may be a work of art that was originally part of this church. Standing in front of the main altar now it can be seen that more reliquaries in gilded stands. They are almost hidden from view having been placed under the actual table and tabernacle and surrounded in beautiful marble.

The canvas here above the altar is called the Santa Croce con San Antonio di Padova e San Sebastiano  – meaning The Holy Cross with St Anthony of Padova and St Sebastian. It’s attributed to Paolo Carracci, brother of the more famous Lodovico.

This fresco on the ceiling of the presbytery is called L’Invenzione della Croce by Lorenzo Ceregato. It was completed again around the time the Franciscan Order moved here in 1981.

In 1600 the first boys were given refuge and it’s presumed that shortly afterwards this church was built. In 1808 the church was suppressed.

This next painting is attributed to Gino Mazzoni in 1973. Finally just before the doorway is this one by Sansone – otherwise known as Giuseppe Marchesi. It depicts The Resurrection of Christ and it too was restored in 2001 by Studio Patrizia Cantelli and paid for by Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.

References

 Marcello Fini, Bologna sacra. Tutte le chiesa in due millenni di storia, Bologna 2007.