The construction arose on the site of a Romanesque church and dates back to 1251 when Atri became an Episcopal seat. The work is attributed essentially to Raimondo del Poggio and Rainaldo d’Atri, initiators of the celebrated school of Atri. The main façade, which opens on to the square, presents an ample brick prospect, a horizontal corona in the centre of which stand out a twelve section rose window and the ornate portal, made by Rainaldo in the early 1300s.
The right hand side is enhanced by three portals: the first is obviously Gothic and is by Raimondo (1305) the second (1288) and the third (1302) are by Raimondo del Poggio. The bell tower indicates several periods of building: the base is Roman, whilst the upper octagon was completed by Antonio da Lodi in 1502.
The interior, nave and two aisles cadenced by Gothic arches with seven pillars supporting either side, is illuminated by a great round window, set on the entrance wall and by a series of narrow monoforium windows set on the right side.
This cathedral has got a lot o f paintings, but its masterpiece is the pictorial cycle by Andrea de Litio, painted prior to 1481, which decorates the walls of the canons’ choirstall and is the most impressive illustration of the Abruzzese Renaissance.
The four cells of the vault contain the figures of the Evangelists, doctor of the church and the Cardinal and Theological Virtues. .
The interior, nave and two aisles cadenced by Gothic arches with seven pillars supporting either side, is illuminated by a great round window, set on the entrance wall and by a series of narrow monoforium windows set on the right side. 
This cathedral has got a lot o f paintings, but its masterpiece is the pictorial cycle by Andrea de Litio, painted prior to 1481, which decorates the walls of the canons’ choirstall and is the most impressive illustration of the Abruzzese Renaissance.