The basilica was built in the 14th century, further to the discovery of a statue of the Virgin with Child, on Santa Caterina di Pittinuri beach. According to tradition, the oxen pulling the statue to the village church refused to stop at their intended destination and continued instead up to the peak of Mount Bardosu. The appearance of the basilica as we see it today is largely due to work carried out between the 17th and early 20th centuries.