The cathedral was founded by king Béla IV before 1235, at the beginning of his reign. He himself was crowned in this church and later it also served as a venue for coronation ceremonies. In the Middle Ages it was called the church of St. Peter and St. Paul the Apostles. During the Turkish occupation it served as khan Sulejman's djami and after 1688 it became a parish church again owned by the Jesuits. Between 1758 and 1798 it was rebuilt in baroque style. Its interior is decorated with frescoes by Johann Cimbal presenting king St. Stephen's legends.