The Casa de Cort茅s, on the north side of Plaza Hidalgo, is where conquistador Cort茅s established Mexico鈥檚 first municipal seat during the siege of Tenochtitl谩n, and later had the defeated emperor Cuauht茅moc tortured to make him divulge the location of Aztec treasure (the scene is depicted on a mural inside the chapel). Contrary to a plaque on display, and popular belief, Cort茅s never actually resided here.
Today it's where people come to register their marriage.