The Court of Public Order was established in December 1963 following Julián Grimau's execution by firing squad, replacing the Tribunal Especial para la Represión de la Masonería y el Comunismo.

The convent was founded in 1748 by Queen Barbara of Portugal, wife of King Ferdinand VI, as a school and home for young noble women.

During the twentieth century, the palace-convent suffered two fires, and required restoration by Joaquín Roji.

[1] The present building has a muted exterior compared to the original 18th century design, which while adhering to Neoclassic love of balanced and rigorous design, also was overflowing with decorative elements such as pilasters and lintels on every floor.

The convent commissioned by the Queen was derided in its time with the lines: which translates to: The church contains the funeral monuments for Ferdinand VI and his wife Bárbara de Braganza (Barbara of Portugal).