Palacio de la Inquisición

Centro Histórico


This was the headquarters of the Holy Inquisition in Nueva España until 1812. Today it houses the Museum of Mexican Medicine. The facade is covered in a red volcanic stone known as tezontle.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Centro Histórico attractions

1. Iglesia de Santo Domingo

0.04 MILES

This Baroque church is all that remains of the first Dominican monastery to be established in Mexico. It makes a quieter alternative to the Catedral…

2. Plaza Santo Domingo

0.05 MILES

Smaller and less hectic than nearby Zócalo, this plaza has long served as a base for scribes and printers. Descendants of those who did the paperwork for…

3. Centro Cultural de España

0.18 MILES

The Centro Cultural de España always has a variety of cutting-edge art exhibitions going on, such as 'Vibraciones' where visitors 'listened' to music…

4. Museo Archivo de la Fotografía

0.22 MILES

Occupying a 16th-century colonial-era building, the city's photo museum hosts changing exhibits focusing on all things Mexico City. Additionally, the…

5. Parroquia de Santa Catarina

0.22 MILES

The main church in the Lagunilla neighborhood, dating from the 16th century. Celebrations to its patron saint occur here every November 25.

6. Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso

0.22 MILES

Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Siqueiros painted murals here in the 1920s. Most of the work on the main patio is by Orozco; look for the…

7. Catedral Metropolitana

0.23 MILES

One of Mexico City’s most iconic structures, this cathedral is a monumental edifice: 109m long, 59m wide and 65m high. Started in 1573, it remained a work…

8. Templo Mayor

0.24 MILES

Before the Spaniards demolished it, the Aztec 'Great Temple' Teocalli of Tenochtitlán covered the site where the cathedral now stands, as well as the…