Its building, which was begun in 1284, is the most beautiful monument in the city; built near the ancient city wall, which incorporated a tower that was then turned into a bell tower.
The Cathedral was embellished over the centuries with several masterpieces, some of which are still preserved inside, while others have been moved to the church of SS: Giuseppe e Pantaleone and others have been lost or stolen.
Many were the restoration and transformation works that affected the Cathedral.

On 6^th May 1976, the violent earthquake seemed to have brought an end to everything in just a few moments. The Cathedral withstood its magnitude but suffered serious damage and and only the rapid diligence to shore it managed to save it from the tremors that followed on 15^th September .

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