Cathedral of Vetralla

The Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, now the Cathedral of Vetralla, is the city’s primary religious building and stands as one of the finest examples of eighteenth-century Baroque architecture in Lazio. It serves as the main parish in the historic center (Piazza Umberto I).

It was built between 1711 and 1729 based on a design by architect Gian Battista Contini, a pupil of Bernini, to replace the old medieval collegiate church of St. Andrew. The community chose to locate it in Piazza Umberto I, aligned with the Palazzo della Comunità, creating a harmonious urban center of great scenic value.

The church has a Latin cross plan, chosen to ensure seismic stability and liturgical functionality. The facade, simple yet elegant, is organized into two superimposed orders (Tuscan and Ionic) and culminates in a triangular pediment; the main portal, taken from the old church, opens in the center, flanked by two smaller entrances.

The interior, bright and well-proportioned, reflects the principles of “Arcadian Architecture,” a movement that prioritized balance, harmony, and decorative sobriety. The square-based bell tower, with its bulb-shaped crown, elegantly completes the architectural complex.