The territory of Pilisszentkereszt and the surrounding lands were inhabited in the prehistoric times, living in the nearby caves, but later they left the area.

The abbey, as well as the village was destroyed during the Turkish occupation of the region, in an attack at September 7, 1526.

Some Benedictines may have lived here after the attack, until about 1541, when they finally left the uttering Turkish rule.

After the reconquista of Ottoman Hungary, in 1747, a group of Slovak migrants arrived at the scene to reestablish it, from neighbouring Pilisszántó.

Queen Gertrude of Merania (d. 1213) is buried in the graveyard of Pilisszentkereszt Abbey after her assassination.