[1] In 1569, at the request of Father António de Monserrate, the representative of the Jesuits of São Roque, King Sebastian authorised the establishment of an asylum (Recolhimento) for the daughters of the victims of the Great Plague of Lisbon [pt], under the patronage of Saint Martha.

Years later, after Cardinal-King Henry had ascended to the throne, the priests of São Roque requested the asylum be converted into a nunnery; on 23 September 1577, Pope Gregory XIII authorises the establishment of the convent, which was to follow the Rule of Saint Clare.

[2] In 1755, the convent suffered great damage during the earthquake that almost totally destroyed Lisbon; the nuns were forced to live in tents outside the building while restoration works were carried out.

[3] In 1905–1908, it underwent profound renovation works, overseen by engineer Luís de Melo, to make it suitable as an hospital for venereal diseases: it now had a total of 700 beds, an operating room, a morgue, and an outpatient clinic; fully equipped with a lift and electric light.

[2] The Hospital was significantly remodeled in the late 1950s, successively expanded with new Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery wards, as well as, in 1971, a new adjoining building housing the outpatient clinic and administrative services.