Palace of the Inquisition (Cartagena, Colombia)

The Palace of the Inquisition, also known as the Inquisition Palace, (Spanish: Palacio de la Inquisición, Spanish pronunciation: [paˈlasjo ðe lajŋkisiˈsjon]) is an eighteenth-century the seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in Cartagena, now in modern Colombia. Completed in 1770,[1] it currently serves as a museum showcasing historical artifacts. Among the many historical artifacts, the museum displays torture equipment used on victims during the inquisition. These items were removed from display in 2015 prior to visits to Colombia by Pope Francis. They have since partially returned and are again on display. The museum has been described as "one of the finer buildings" in Cartagena.[2] Cited as one of Cartagena's "best examples of late colonial, civil architecture", it faces the Parque de Bolívar.[3]

Not to be confused with Palace of the Inquisition (Museum of Mexican Medicine).
Palace of the Inquisition
Palacio de la Inquisición
Palace of the Inquisition
Alternative namesInquisition Palace
General information
Architectural styleSpanish Colonial, Baroque
LocationCartagena, Colombia
Town or cityCartagena
CountryColombia
Coordinates10°25′22.47″N 75°33′4.88″W
Construction started1610
Completed1770
OwnerColombian government
Technical details
Floor count2

History

The establishment of the Palace was decreed by Philip III of Spain.[4] Since Cartagena was a center of commerce, a transit point between the Caribbean and Spanish settlements in western South America, the city became the third in the Spanish empire to have a tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. Some merchants were Portuguese and suspected of being crypto-Jews (Jews passing as Christian). During the period 1580–1640, the crown of Portugal and that of Spain were ruled by the same monarch, and the period saw many Portuguese merchants active in Spain's overseas colonies. Established in 1610,[2] the current building was completed much later.[lower-alpha 1] The Palace was used by Inquisition to try Jews[7] and other non-Catholics[8] and about 800 individuals believed guilty of crimes such as black magic were publicly executed there.[2]

Architecture
Facade
Palace of Inquisition interior

The Palace is built in Spanish Colonial style,[5] with elements from the Baroque era.[2] A crucifix occupies one of the walls facing a torture equipment.[7] The white brick structure[9] has gateways made of stone.[2] The rooms of the Palace are mostly made up of masonry.[10] The framework of the Palace is built out of wood;[11] double-storey[6] limestones were also used in the making of the Palace.[12] The museum displays coins, maps, weapons, furniture, church bells, and depictions of notable generals, in addition to the torture equipment used previously.[13] The Palace was partially restored to preserve Colombia's cultural heritage.[11]

  • Palace of the Inquisition in 1875 (cleaned photo).
    Palace of the Inquisition in 1875 (cleaned photo).
  • Palace of the Inquisition in 1893. Yale University Library.
    Palace of the Inquisition in 1893. Yale University Library.[14]
  • Colonial corridor
    Colonial corridor
  • Anonymous Complaint Window
    Anonymous Complaint Window

See also

Notes
  1. One source gives the date of completion as 1776,[5] while another states 1770.[6]

References
  1. Moreno-Goldschmidt, Aliza (2018). Conversos de origen judío en la Cartagena colonial: Vida social, cultural y económica en el siglo XVII. Pontifical Xavierian University Publisher. ISBN 978-9587812046.
  2. Kohn, Michael (2006). Colombia. Ediz. Inglese (4 ed.). Lonely Planet. p. 129. ISBN 9781741042849.
  3. Viva Travel Guides Colombia. Viva Publishing Network. 2008. p. 227. ISBN 9780979126444.
  4. Kelemen, Kal (1967). Baroque and Rococo in Latin America. Vol. 1 (2 ed.). Dover Publications.
  5. Cruise Travel. Vol. 9. Lakeside. July 1987. p. 25.
  6. Melton, J. Gordon (2010). Religions of the World, Second Edition: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices (2 ed.). ABC-CLIO. p. 746. ISBN 9781598842043.
  7. Arbell, Mordehay (2002). The Jewish Nation of the Caribbean: The Spanish-Portuguese Jewish Settlements in the Caribbean and the Guianas. Gefen. p. 309. ISBN 9789652292797.
  8. Cruise Travel. August 1982. p. 44.
  9. Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. April 1968. p. 131.
  10. Coghlan, Nicholas (2004). Saddest Country: On Assignment in Colombia. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 41. ISBN 9780773527874.
  11. "Museo Histórico de Cartagena de Indias - Palacio de la Inquisición" (in Spanish). Cartagena de Indias. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  12. "Historia" (in Spanish). Musueo Historico de Cartagena. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  13. The Rotarian. Vol. 128. March 1976. p. 31.
  14. "Colombia, 1893 by Clímaco Calderón, Consul-General of Colombia, N.Y." Yale University Library Digital Collections.
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