The cathedral is set in the upper area of the medieval town, not far from Svevo Castle. It has been built around the second half of XI century.
It is one of the most ancient churches with a Roman-Puglia style. Only the bell tower shows a late Baroque style, due to a reconstruction in 1772 after its fall.
The wooden statue of the holy Mary of Merino (XIV century) can be found inside the church. According to the legend it has been found on Vieste’s beach. It has been renovated in 2009 in Bari by the Department for Artistic Goods.
In February 1981 Vieste’s cathedral has been named minor basilica by Pope John Paul II