The basilica was built from 1847 to 1856 in the Neo-Baroque style, designed by the Franciscan architect Serafino da Baceno.

The Franciscans have been present since the seventeenth century in Alexandria, where it is particularly concerned by European pilgrims who were on their way to the Holy Land.

The new church, a basilica with classical dome also conceived as the cathedral of the Apostolic Vicariate, established in 1839, and received the name of the martyr Catherine of Alexandria.

In 1927, the current facade, designed by the Italian architect Mario Avena (1896-1968 or 1969) in the Roman Baroque style was added.

It was the place of burial of exiled Italian king Victor Emmanuel III upon his death in 1947 until his remains were repatriated to Italy in 2017.