It was built by Pisan workmen in 1347, at the beginning of the reign of Marian IV of Arborea (1347-1375), who used to stay in the nearby castle of Monreale. The church is referred to as the “Pantheon of the Arborea” because, following studies by historian Francesco Cesare Casula, it turns out to be the only religious building that has effigies portraying the rulers of the giudicato d’Arborea, among which that of Mariano IV and his daughter Eleonora stand out.
The only part of the 14th-century structure that has come down to us is the square-plan apse, made of volcanic limestone. The ribbed cross vaults of the apse are supported by four corbels carved with anthropomorphic figures, in which Judges Mariano IV, Ugone III de Bas-Serra, Eleonora d’Arborea with her husband Brancaleone Doria have been identified.
