The construction of the new building of the monastery of Santa Clara in Coimbra was started in 1649. The old monastery, built in the late XIII century, was destroyed, and it was decided to erect a new building for the nuns of the order of St. Clare.

The project of the monastery has developed a Benedictine monk and the Royal architect Joao Turriano, the construction was headed by the Royal architect Mateus do Couto did. The construction of the new building lasted long enough. In 1677, in the new building of the monastery, which became known as the monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, drove the nuns. In 1696 the consecration of the temple.

The main portal of the Abbey Church is decorated with the Royal coat of arms supported by two angels. The interior of the temple is made in the Baroque style. The Church has one nave, the transept is missing. The side chapels and the main chapel is decorated with 14 altar images of the XVII century in the style of "Talia Dorada" - altar paintings framed in carved and gilded wood. In addition, a new monastery was moved to the tomb containing the ashes of the Portuguese Queen Isabel, the foundress of this monastery. After the death of her husband, king Dinis, the Queen was in Coimbra Santa Clara monastery until his death and was buried there. Therefore, among the local inhabitants of this abode is also called the monastery of Queen Isabella. The tomb containing the ashes made from silver and crystal, is located near the main altar of the Church. Before the Church stands a statue of Queen Isabella, by the sculptor Antonio Teixeira Lopes in the nineteenth century.

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