Originally a gothic monastery belonging to the Order of the Poor Clares built in the 13th century,[1] Saint Clare was rebuilt and repurposed as a church, of an overall smaller size, in a baroque style, between 1742 and 1745 under the direction of architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone, himself brother of two nuns of the Order.[2] The Poor Clares would continue to reside in the church until 1814, when they were transferred to Carignano.[1]