Palace of the Inquisition
Palacio de la Inquisición
A baroque palace beside Plaza de Bolívar that served as one of Spain's three Inquisition tribunals in the Americas from 1610 to 1811. It now houses the Historical Museum of Cartagena.
The Palace of the Inquisition stands on the west side of Plaza de Bolívar in the heart of the Old Town. The current building was completed in 1770 and is known for its ornate baroque stone portal, the coat of arms of the Spanish crown, and elegant wooden balconies, making it one of the most beautiful colonial buildings in the Old Town. In 1610, Spain established an Inquisition tribunal in Cartagena. Together with Lima and Mexico City, it formed Spain's three Inquisition tribunals in the Americas, with jurisdiction over the entire Caribbean and New Granada. It tried people accused of heresy, witchcraft, Judaism, and other offenses, and it was abolished in 1811 after Cartagena declared independence. Today the building houses the Museo Histórico de Cartagena de Indias (Historical Museum of Cartagena de Indias). The exhibits are in two parts. The ground floor covers the Inquisition's trial procedures, with replicas of torture instruments such as the rack, the strappado, and the “iron maiden,” as well as a scale once used to test accused “witches.” The upper floor follows the city's history in chronological order, from Indigenous times, the founding of the city, pirate raids, and the 1741 siege, to the independence movement. It displays city models, old maps, colonial furniture, and religious art. A small side wall in the courtyard still has the narrow openings through which anonymous informants once reported suspected heretics. Admission is about 20,000–30,000 pesos for foreigners, with English-language explanations. Opening hours are about 09:00–18:00. Across the square, Plaza de Bolívar is shaded by trees and has an equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar. Dance performances are often held there. Nearby are the Gold Museum (free admission, showing gold objects of the Indigenous Zenú people) and the cathedral.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Plaza de Bolívar
- Museo del Oro Zenú
- Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
- Plaza and Church of Santo Domingo
- San Pedro Claver Church
- Naval Museum of the Caribbean
- Museum of Modern Art of Cartagena
- Walled City & Clock Tower