According to some historical sources, in 1500 a watercourse crossed Piazza Ciullo: the ditch, where it ran, filled up with water during winter, but after a few centuries the area took its present form.

Today traces of the stream's existence are seen through the particular position of the buildings, whose profiles are made to stand out through the pavement lines after architect Gae Aulenti's restoration work.

The area became important in the first half of the 16th century due to events such as the passage and stay of the emperor Charles V (in 1535), and later the construction of the Church of Jesus by the Jesuits in 1650, which gave the square its characteristic shape.

In 1919, at the corner with Corso 6 Aprile, a wooden kiosk (in Liberty style) was placed that served drinks and decoctions:[5] today it is an ice cream and sandwich shop.

Until 1929, at the corner with via Porta Stella, there was a fountain built by sculptor Antonino Gaggini, Antonello's son; there were additionally two shields and the coat of arms of Alcamo in a frame with a Latin inscription.