The church, part of the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and was elevated to the title of cathedral on 9 March 1959 by Pope John XXIII.

It was designed between 1610 and 1615 by Agustín Bernardino, a student of Juan de Herrera,[2] and was constructed over an ancient mosque.

The older cloister was built originally in the 15th century in Valencian Gothic style.

Flanking the nave are six interconnecting side chapels and an ambulatory around the apse.

The chapel of Holy Communion, configured as a small Greek cross-planned temple, is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of the Spanish Baroque.