Palace of the Inquisition, Colonial judicial building in Historic Center, Mexico
The Palace of the Inquisition is a colonial courthouse in the Historic Center featuring a striking facade made of red volcanic stone tezontle. The three-story structure displays hanging arches and contains 24 rooms now used for museum exhibitions about medical history.
The palace was built between 1732 and 1736 by architect Pedro de Arrieta and served as headquarters for the Holy Inquisition until 1812. The building then underwent various transformations before becoming a museum dedicated to the history of medicine.
The building now houses the Museum of Mexican Medicine, showing how healing practices evolved from indigenous times through modern era. Visitors see everyday tools, remedies, and methods that people actually used to care for their health across centuries.
The building sits at the corner of República de Brasil and República de Venezuela streets, easy to locate in the downtown area. Plan enough time to walk through the different exhibition areas, as the museum spans multiple floors and rooms with substantial collections.
The building features an unusual corner design facing Santo Domingo Plaza that earned it the nickname Casa Chata, meaning Flat-faced House. This distinctive architectural choice creates an unexpected appearance from certain angles in the square.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Templo Mayor
382 m
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
388 m
San Ildefonso College
351 m
Santo Domingo
66 m
Caricature Museum, Mexico City
260 m
Altarpiece of the Kings
340 m
Palace of the Marqués del Apartado
306 m
Museo Nacional Numismático
374 m
Parroquia de Santa Catarina
357 m
Secretariat of Public Education Main Headquarters
189 m
Monument to Pope John Paul II
398 m
Teatro Lírico
404 m
Palacio Y Museo De La Inquisicion
332 m
Palace of Counts Heras y Soto
342 m
Old Customs Buildings, Mexico City
73 m
Museo Archivo de la Fotografía
348 m
Temple of Santa Catalina de Siena
220 m
Patricians and Patricides
64 m
Archivo Histórico de la Ciudad de México Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora
343 m
Tlaxcala House, Mexico City
339 m
Plaza de Santa Catarina
349 m
Casa Tagle
384 m
Tecpan
319 m
Sepulcro de Villaseca
319 m
Casa de las bombas de la Condesa
319 m
Casa de los huesitos
319 m
Museo de la Tortura
331 m
Evangelists Portal
92 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes