The Inquisition Museum, Cartagena

“Collaring a criminal” had a much more painful interpretation in the 1600’s.

Discovering the New World often meant bringing the worst of the Old World along for the ride.

This couldn’t be more true when it comes to the Inquisition, which was one of the most unsavoury imports (along with typhus and small pox) that the Spanish brought to Central and South America. Tribunals were established in Peru, Mexico, and Colombia that resulted in the deaths of countless people. And Cartagena, the seat of one of these tribunals, has the museum to prove it: the Inquisition Museum of Cartagena.

Entrance to the Inquisition Museum, Cartagena

The Inquisition Museum of Cartagena

Set in the Palacio de la Inquisicion, the actual building that was constructed solely for the purpose of these ‘interrogations’, the Inquisition Museum in Cartagena now houses less infamous historical records of the city as well. But of course, it’s the gruesome torture devices that drew us there, not the ancient maps or dioramas of the walled city (a sad comment on human nature!)

One of several dioramas of historic Cartagena now showcased in the Inquisition Museum, Cartagena.

At first glance after entering the Palacio today, it seems like a peaceful place with a classic Colonial courtyard and a walled garden shaded by a 200+ year-old tree. But don’t be fooled. At one time this was a house of horrors where even an innocuous window fronting a side street had a notorious function: topped by a cross, this drive-by ‘snitch window’ was used by accusers to denounce suspected criminals who were then prosecuted (read persecuted).

The ‘Denuncia’ window at the Palacio de la Inquisicion where accusers named suspected witches and heretics

Even without an English explanation, it doesn’t take much to imagine the cruel and painful uses for the torture devices on display here. And although not all of the examples showcased in the Inquisition Museum of Cartagena were employed here specifically, the rack was a particular favourite, as well as the ‘witch weighing scales’ which unfailingly managed to prove the guilt of the accused.

The rack.

This device “The Mumbler” left just enough mobility for the accused to ‘mumble’ his confessions.

It’s not enough to garotte you, the screw adds another dimension entirely.

It’s hard to imagine that this pretty city with colourful colonial facades housing luxurious boutique hotels and stylish shops was once the seat of such a cruel and sadistic practice that resulted in 800 or so deaths. What is perhaps even more difficult to imagine is that this cruelty went on until 1821 when Colombia finally declared its independence from Spain and the Spanish Inquisition was relegated to the history books.

Then again, it seems that every civilization has some form of uncivilized past – Tower of London, anyone?

TIP: There are no English translations posted on the displays at the Inquisition Museum of Cartagena, but English-speaking guides are available if you inquire. Or you can do what we did and just use your imagination, which proved to be more than enough, when it came to this particular collection.