In the area of the current basilica, Gualtieri VI of Brienne had already founded a monastery in the 14th century, but it was only after the mid-16th century that it was decided to transform the area into a monumental area. To find the land, the houses and properties of the Jews were requisitioned, expelled from the city in 1510. The works for the construction of the basilica lasted for two centuries, between the 16th and 17th centuries, and involved the most important city architects of the time . The first phase of construction, which began in 1549, ended by 1582 and saw the construction of the lower area of the facade, up to the enormous balcony supported by telamons depicting men and animals. The dome was completed in 1590. A subsequent phase of the works followed, starting from 1606, during which the three decorated portals were added to the facade.
A clarification: in the recent restoration phase, not only were the external surfaces cleaned, but due to the softness of the Lecce stone and the consequent erosion due to atmospheric agents, the restorers had to add material (mixture obtained from the same stone) to recreate the original forms.