The cathedral, dedicated to Saint Stephen, is an imposing neoclassical church from the mid-19th century.
The Cathedral of Casalmaggiore was started in 1840 thanks to a donation by the nobleman Giovanni Vicenza Ponzone, the project of the cathedral was entrusted to the architect Fermo Zuccari. Later, between 1897 and 1899, the bell tower was also built by the same architect, thanks to the money from the bequest of Bianca Contesini. The construction of the Cathedral was completed in 1846 and this was consecrated and opened to the faithful in 1861.
The structure of the Duomo is Greek cross-shaped, preceded by an arched pronaos that serves as a vestibule and divided into three naves with side chapels and a deep apsidal choir. The imposing dome is 60 meters high and is supported by a drum of 16 arches. Inside there are two monuments by Pietro Civeri that commemorate Giovanni Vicenza Ponzone and Luigi Chiozzi. Numerous sculptures decorate the room, including 28 saints in white stone placed in the niches, as well as numerous paintings. The decoration of the apse basin represents the martyrdom of Saint Stephen and was made by Pietro Verzetti.
