The original building, the ancient cathedral dating back to the 11th century, is still present in the current structure. The cathedral, with a tumultuous history in the Middle Ages, was renovated in the Baroque style by Bishop Imre Esterházy (1723–1725) in 1723. After a fire, it was rebuilt in the Neo-Romanesque style between 1907 and 1910, thus acquiring its present form. On September 9, 1981, Pope John Paul II elevated the cathedral to the title of Minor Basilica with a Papal Breve (document containing papal law), granting it the associated privileges.

The Cathedral houses the relic arm bone of Blessed Queen Gisela. In the crypt opening from the undercroft of the church, the tombstone of Bishop Márton Padányi Biró (1745–1762) is visible.