The building, owned by the Celestri Marquises of Santa Croce since the 17th century, was modernized and embellished in 1770 by Tommaso Grimaldi and Celestri, who transformed it into a princely residence. In 1856, it passed to the Trigona Princes of Sant'Elia.

Purchased by the Provincial Administration in a state of serious disrepair, it has been completely restored and transformed into an exhibition space for temporary exhibitions. The facade, 75 meters long, has two entrances with columns leading to two courtyards. Some of the halls were decorated by Gioacchino Martorana and Elia Interguglielmi.