The history of the Cattedrale di Santo Stefano e Santa Maria Assunta dates back to 1488, when its construction began on the site of two pre-existing Romanesque, "twin" cathedrals. From this date onwards many people contributed to the design of the cathedral, including Leonardo Da Vinci who visited Pavia during the early stages of the cathedral's construction. The church was not fully completed until the 1930s, more than 400 years after the first stone was laid.

The plan of the Pavia Cathedral is a Greek cross, with three naves flanked by semi-circular chapels. The central nave is twice as wide as those on the side; it is about 30 metres high and divided by two galleries. The dome has an octagonal plan and is the fourth largest in Italy with a height of 97 metres and a span of 34 metres.

The Cathedral of Pavia is the most important Renaissance building of the city, recognizable by its impressive octagonal masonry dome.