The monastic complex may have been founded in 1208 over an existing building dedicated to earth worship.
It is now one of the surviving example of architecture in Abruzzo inspired by French Gothic.
The plan of the church is a simple Latin cross. The nave leads to the apse which encloses the altar.
The transept is flanked by side altars. The interior is characterised by the presence of ribs that emphasize the lines of the arches and vaults.The Gothic tabernacle, set against one wall, is noteworthy, as is the Paschal candelabra that sits with airy lightness on a slim pedestal, supported by two dogs and a rampant lion (the second of the pair is missing), enveloped in foliage decoration.
The three paintings that decorate the choir stall walls are signed by Antonio Martini of Atri and dated 1337.
The exterior is interrupted by two rose windows, one in the apse, below which five rows of monoforium windows are set, and the other in the transept near the bell tower. The missing wing has been replaced with glass panels opening out on to the beautiful park that surrounds the church.
The three paintings that decorate the choir stall walls are signed by Antonio Martini of Atri and dated 1337.