This land was purchased from Juan Velázquez de Salazar in 1578; on it, the Inquisition's facilities and the residences of the inquisitors were built. Throughout the 17th century, architects Bartolomé Bernal and Pedro Durán carried out various renovations and expansions. On December 1, 1732, the reconstruction work began, which lasted for five years. In 1853, the professors of the School of Medicine demanded the building as payment for their overdue salaries. In 1879, a second floor was added.