while the details of her story appear to be fictional, her existence and martyrdom are considered a historical fact. she is said to have been beheaded with a sword. an early roman christian church, santa cecilia, was founded in the fourth century in the trastevere section of rome, reputedly on the site of the house in which she lived. a number of musical compositions are dedicated to her, and her feast day has become the occasion for concerts and musical festivals.