The first block of houses was constructed in the first half of the 19th century and was used as a rural warehouse. In the beginning of the 20th century the building was widened and restructured by the owners, the noble family De Blasi, in order for it to become an agglomerate of warehouses and lodges. Later on some floors and a courtyard were added to make the structure more comfortable as a summer dwelling.

In 1925 it was donated by the owner, Mrs. Maria De Blasi, to the Suore Oblate al Divino Amore (nuns) who housed there an institute called Ricovero di Maria S.S. dei Miracoli.

Due to lack of success of the institute, in 1928 the structure was returned to it's legal owner, who in 1950 bequeathed it to the nuns of Palermo, who called it Villa Gaia and lived there during the summer months. Because of the presence of these nuns the structure got its popular name, "La Batìa".