The original dedication was to Santa Maria di Matera, as recorded in a contemporary notarial document.

Finally, from 1627 Monsignor Fabrizio Antinori, archbishop of Matera, dedicated the cathedral to the Madonna della Bruna and to Saint Eustace.

The west front is dominated by the rose window of sixteen rays and by the campanile on the left side, 52 metres high.

The cathedral has a Latin cross ground plan and contains three naves, separated by round arches supported by columns with stone capitals.

The interior has an Italo-Byzantine fresco[1] depicting the Madonna della Bruna and Child, dating from 1270 and attributed to one Rinaldo da Taranto; the relics of Saint John of Matera (translated here in 1830);[2] carved wooden choir stalls (60 in total) in the apse (1453), by Giovanni Tantino of Ariano Irpino; a sculptural group of a Pesebre (1534, Nativity scene) and painted limestone crib, both created by Altobello Persio;[3] the Chapel of the Annunciation erected in Renaissance-style period by Giulio Persio; and a 14th-century fresco depicting the Last Judgment, which re-emerged during recent restoration work.