The current Cathedral of Saint Lawrence was built between 1486 and 1517 at the behest of the Bishop of Alba, Andrea Novelli. Upon taking charge of the diocese in 1483, he observed the severely dilapidated state of the cathedral and initiated its reconstruction. Of the original church—which had existed as early as the 11th century—only the bell tower, the three portals, the portico on the façade, and the crypt were preserved; the remaining, structurally unsound sections were demolished.