Arriving in Piazza Duomo from Via Seminari, visitors are greeted by the majestic façade of the Cathedral di Santo Stefano, with its seven central neo-Gothic arches flanked by two narrower ones; an impressive sight. Built in the early 15th century in honour of La Madonna (The Virgin Mary), as thanks for the end of the 1399 plague, the cathedral has undergone many changes over time, including the addition of the portico and façade, while retaining much od its original Gothic structures beneath 18th and 19th century modifications.
Inside, the Gothic structure with three naves is defined by cruciform pillars, pointed arches, ribbed vaults and an octagonal dome. On the left side, a small room preserves a rare depiction of the Cristo de la Domenica (Christ of Sunday), a powerful image of the Saviour pierced by tools of labour, symbolizing the call to respect the sacred day of rest.
To the left of the Cathedral stands the Battistero di San Giovanni Battista, recognizable by its irregular shape and rough masonry of cobbles and reused bricks, contrasting sharply with more modern buildings nearby.
Erected in the second part of the 10th century on the remains of a Roman burial site, it is one of the most significant examples of Romanesque art in Piemonte. The square base is surrounded by four semicircular apses, each with twelve niches, while the upper octagonal drum supports a lantern with twin windows and a 12th century iron cross rediscovered during the 1913 restoration.
The interior is simple and unadorned, preserving fragmentary frescoes including a Madonna col Bambino (Virgin Mary and Child) and a Martyr Saint, attributed to the so-called “Master of Oropa” and dated 1318-1319.