It was built on land donated to the church by Jose Manuel Thotocopuli, son of El Greco.
Cardinal Tavera charged Alonso de Covarrubias with building an arch connecting to the cathedral as well as the main facade.
In the 17th century a partial attempt was made to give uniformity to the facade.
Of interest are the portals, including the main one facing to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
The small iron upper balcony is flanked with nymphs holding a cardinal's coat of arms.