Palace of Inquisition
Palace of Inquisition | |
---|---|
Palacio de la Inquisición | |
![]() The Palace of Inquisition (photographed March 2006) | |
Alternative names | Inquisition Palace |
General information | |
Architectural style | Spanish Colonial, Baroque |
Location | Cartagena, Colombia |
Town or city | Cartagena |
Country | Colombia |
Coordinates | 10°25′22.47″N 75°33′4.88″W / 10.4229083°N 75.5513556°WCoordinates: 10°25′22.47″N 75°33′4.88″W / 10.4229083°N 75.5513556°W |
Construction started | 1610 |
Completed | c. 1770 |
Owner | Colombian government |
Technical details | |
Floor count | 2 |
The Palace of Inquisition, also known as the Inquisition Palace, (Spanish: Palacio de la Inquisición) is an eighteenth-century the seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in Cartagena, now in modern Colombia. Finished around 1770, it currently serves as a museum showcasing the torture equipment used, as well as other historical artifacts. It has been described as "one of the finer buildings" in Cartagena.[1] Cited as one of Cartagena's "best examples of late colonial, civil architecture", it faces the Parque de Bolívar.[2]
History
The establishment of the Palace was decreed by Philip III.[3] 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,[1] the current building was completed much later.[lower-alpha 1] The Palace was used by Inquisition to try Jews[6] and other non-Catholics[7] and about 800 individuals believed guilty of crimes such as black magic were publicly executed there.[1]
Architecture
The Palace is built in Spanish Colonial style,[4] with elements from the Baroque era.[1] A crucifix occupies one of the walls facing a torture equipment.[6] The white brick structure[8] has gateways made of stone.[1] The rooms of the Palace are mostly made up of masonry.[9] The framework of the Palace is built out of wood;[10] double-storey[5] limestones were also used in the making of the Palace.[11] The museum displays coins, maps, weapons, furniture, church bells, and depictions of notable generals, in addition to the torture equipment used previously.[12] The Palace was partially restored to preserve Colombia's cultural heritage.[10]
See also
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Kohn, Michael (2006). Colombia. Ediz. Inglese (4 ed.). Lonely Planet. p. 129. ISBN 9781741042849.
- ↑ Viva Travel Guides Colombia. Viva Publishing Network. 2008. p. 227. ISBN 9780979126444.
- ↑ Kelemen, Kal (1967). Baroque and Rococo in Latin America 1 (2 ed.). Dover Publications.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cruise Travel 9. Lakeside. July 1987. p. 25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 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.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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.
- ↑ Cruise Travel. August 1982. p. 44.
- ↑ Ebony. April 1968. p. 131.
- ↑ Coghlan, Nicholas (2004). Saddest Country: On Assignment in Colombia. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 41. ISBN 9780773527874.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Museo Histórico de Cartagena de Indias - Palacio de la Inquisición" (in Spanish). Cartagena de Indias. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ↑ "Historia" (in Spanish). Musueo Historico de Cartagena. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ↑ The Rotarian 128. March 1976. p. 31.