This building dates back to the 17th century and was built to replace the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha, which was repeatedly damaged by the floods of the Mondego.

The Poor Clares' lives had become so unsustainable that King Dom João IV decided to sponsor the construction of a new convent, built at a high elevation, safe from flooding. In 1696, the new monastery was completed and then received the Poor Clares, faithful custodians of the mortal remains of Queen Saint Elizabeth, who is buried there.

The building is in a sober and utilitarian style. In the church, dedicated to Queen Saint Elizabeth, a baroque altarpiece was prepared to house the silver and crystal urn, from the 17th century. XVII, to venerate the patron saint of the city of Coimbra. In front of the urn, on a pedestal, is the image of Queen Santa Isabel, a unique piece of mahogany, carved by Teixeira Lopes and offered to the Brotherhood of Queen Santa Isabel, by Queen Dona Amélia.

The first tomb of the patron saint, created by Mestre Pero, in 1330, is currently in the lower choir of the church; It is a unique and exemplary work of Gothic tomb art.

The 1733 cloister, by architect and engineer Carlos Mardel, already shows the transition to a new artistic language – classicism.