Construction of the new building of the monastery of Santa Clara in Coimbra was launched in 1649. Old Monastery, built at the end of the XIII century, was destroyed, and it was decided to build a new building for the nuns of the Order of Santa Clara.

The project has developed a Benedictine monk of the monastery and the royal architect João Turriano, in charge of the construction of the royal architect Mateus do Couto. New Construction lasted long enough. In 1677 a new building of the monastery, which became known as the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, drove nuns. In 1696 the church was consecrated.

The main portal of the monastery church is decorated with the royal coat of arms, which is supported by two angels. The interior of the church is in the Baroque style. The church has one nave, transept is missing. The side chapels and the main chapel is decorated with 14 altarpieces of the XVII century in the style of "Talya dorado" - altarpieces framed in carved and gilded wood. In addition, a new monastery was moved tomb with remains of Queen Isabella of Portugal, the founder of the monastery. After the death of her husband, King Dinis, the Queen was in Coimbra convent of Santa Clara until his death and was buried there. Therefore, among the locals this monastery is called the monastery of Queen Isabella. The tomb with ashes, made of silver and crystal, situated near the main altar of the church. Before the church stands a monument to Queen Isabella, by sculptor Antonio Teixeira Lopes in the XIX century.

In 1733 in the monastery cloisters were built in the Renaissance style. The construction of these galleries in charge of the Hungarian architect Carlos Mardel.