The basilica is the most important monument of Acireale, declared a national monument. In December  1990,  Pope John Paul II elevated it to the dignity of  a minor basilica.

The first construction site was opened in  1609  and the church completed in 1644  with subsidies from the town hall and donations from the faithful. The temple was largely renovated after the  earthquake of 1693 , between  1699  and 1705 , assuming its current appearance. The church was elevated to a  collegiate church with a  papal bull  of November 20,  1924 .

The façade, designed by  Angelo Bellofiore , inlays by  Diego and  Giovanni Flavetta , has several orders and has a frieze with fourteen  putti  holding  festoons . The church is preceded by a balustrade built in  1754  by  Giovan Battista Marini  to a design by  Pietro Paolo Vasta , enriched by statues depicting characters from the Old Testament:  Judith ,  Giaele ,  David ,  Giosuè,  Moses ,  Aaron ,  Judas Maccabee ,  Gideon , Samson