Before the construction of the cathedral, the Chiesa di San Giovanni, with its beautiful adjoining cloister, was the most important in the city, protected by the marquises who chose it as the site of their funerary chapel. 

Built as a small chapel in 1281, it was remodelled and extended several times. The facade is tiered, in square stones mixed with brick, and a simple ogival portal, flanked by the great San Cristoforo; the bell tower, built in 1376, has a rectangular base and five floors marked by pilasters, corner buttresses and belt course cornices in terracotta with dentil friezes. 

The slender spire, surmounted by the bronze rooster, symbol of loyalty to France, emerges in the skyline of the historic centre. San Giovanni welcomes the visitor with a monumental descending staircase and amazes for its great austerity and beauty. 

On the left it houses the chapel dedicated to Saints Crispino and Crispiniano, protectors of shoemakers, with the extraordinary cycle of frescoes from the end of the 15th century attributed to the workshop of Pietro da Saluzzo. On the vault, the Eternal Father is depicted inside the almond supported by angels, while the city of Jerusalem is turreted, closed within walls that seem to be those of Saluzzo, inside which the scenes of the Passion are taking place. 

The sumptuous altarpiece houses the triptych by Pascale Oddone: the Madonna del Rosario, supported by the cherubs between Saints Giovan Battista and Domenico, is looking towards Marquis Francesco and the company of ladies and dignitaries, all sporting sumptuous costumes and splendid hairstyles.

The sepulchral chapel of the Marquis Ludovico II, the sepulchre in Paesana marble with an impressive portrait of its owner, lies behind the main altar. The high base, marked by graceful pilasters, presents carved marble panels inside, with delicate allegorical figures of the cardinal and theological Virtues.

Next to the church, in the hall of the cloister of the ancient convent, the funeral monument to the noble Galeazzo Cavassa is exhibited.