It was built in 1092 by Roger of Altavilla, in a location where there had been, in 1090, a cenoby, probably during the Byzantine period, and it was given to the Basilian monks. In 1092, in the church sacristy, Count Roger had his son Jordan, who died during the battle in Syracuse, buried here: the tombstone remembering the tragic event is guarded in the Regional Museum, while in the sacristy, there is an inscription commemorating his memory. Some of the artwork that once decorated the church is now guarded in the church of Mili San Pietro. 

The church has only one nave and three east oriented apsides, in accordance with the architectonical standards of that period, and, during the 16th century, it was enlarged and enriched with a new marble portal. 

For its particular beauty, the monastery received in 2011 the recognition of Meraviglia Italiana (Italian wonder)—a stamp sponsored by the Chamber of Deputies, Ministry for the Arts and Cultural Activities, Ministry of Youth, and Ministry of Tourism, and given to 1000 places in occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.