The formal denial or doubt of the core doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, defined by the Church as heresy, has led to the deaths of thousands, if not millions, of people throughout history. This concept served as the foundation for the establishment of the Inquisition by the Catholic Church in the 1100s. At the height of its power, the Church viewed execution as the ultimate penance for the “sin” of heresy, demonstrating little faith in repentance.

Although the broader inquisitions were severe, the Spanish Inquisition, initiated in 1487, became infamous for its extraordinary brutality. A collaboration between the Church and the Spanish Crown, it unleashed horrific practices that have haunted history. Here are ten chilling facts about the Spanish Inquisition.

It Was Not Limited to Spain

Contrary to popular belief, the Spanish Inquisition was not confined to mainland Spain. Initially aimed at eradicating non-Catholics—primarily Jews and Muslims—the movement extended far beyond Europe. As many non-Catholics fled Spain, suspicion fell on “Conversos,” Jews and Muslims who had converted to Catholicism. These individuals were accused of secretly practising their old faiths.

The hunt for heretics extended into North Africa, the Americas, and other Spanish colonies. In these territories, countless individuals were burned at the stake for heresy until the practice was finally abolished.

The Council for the Inquisition Still Exists

The Catholic Church conducted inquisitions through a powerful council known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition. While the council no longer tortures or hunts heretics, it remains an active part of the Church, now renamed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Due to its dark history, this council is one of the least discussed aspects of the Church’s governance.

The Spanish Inquisition Popularised Auto-da-fé

The term auto-da-fé translates to “act of faith,” but its actual practice bore little resemblance to faith as we understand it today. Public executions became spectacles of terror during the Inquisition. People accused of heresy were paraded before crowds wearing sackcloth hoods, with only a single eyehole. Public punishments ranged from whipping and mutilation to execution by burning at the stake.

This grisly tradition extended beyond Spain to other European countries and even to notable figures like Joan of Arc, who was executed in France.

Protestants Were Not Spared

The Spanish Inquisition primarily targeted Jews and Muslims, but Protestants also fell victim. During the 16th century, Protestant movements, particularly Lutheranism, challenged the Catholic Church’s authority. In response, the Inquisition expanded its definition of heresy to include Protestant beliefs.

In territories such as Mexico and Peru, Protestants were slaughtered in gruesome public executions. For example, in 1578, Lutherans were burned at the stake in Mexico by order of King Philip II.

Napoleon Bonaparte Ended the Inquisition

Napoleon Bonaparte, one of Europe’s most renowned leaders, ended the Spanish Inquisition after conquering Spain. Napoleon opposed the Church’s puritanical practices, and by the early 19th century, the Inquisition had lost favour among the Spanish population, who viewed it as a political tool rather than a religious unifier.

After Napoleon’s defeat in 1814, King Ferdinand VII briefly reinstated the Inquisition, using it to suppress political dissent. The last execution occurred in 1826, after which international pressure forced Spain to abolish the institution permanently.

Inquisitors Used History’s Most Brutal Torture Methods

The Spanish Inquisition is infamous for its use of horrific torture devices. The breast ripper was used to mutilate women, while the rack stretched victims to the brink of dismemberment. Other devices, such as Catherine’s wheel and the skull crusher, showcased the sadistic ingenuity of the inquisitors.

The fact that such tools were authorised by the Church remains a chilling reminder of the extremes religious institutions have reached in the past.

Wealth Could Buy Freedom

Corruption plagued the Spanish Inquisition, with bribery becoming a common practice. Wealthy individuals accused of heresy could often buy their freedom, while others used the system to settle personal vendettas or seize property.

Even prominent Catholic leaders, such as Ignatius of Loyola, faced accusations of heresy. In many cases, inquisitors accepted bribes to drop charges or ensure lenient sentences.

Inquisitors Served Both Pope and King

Initially, inquisitors were answerable to the Pope, but in Spain, they served the dual interests of both the Church and the monarchy. King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella used the Inquisition to target wealthy Jewish and Muslim elites, seizing their property under the guise of rooting out heresy.

Despite complaints from Pope Sixtus IV about the politicisation of the Inquisition, the institution remained deeply entrenched in both religious and political spheres.

Converted Jews and Muslims Suffered Most

Jews and Muslims who converted to Catholicism, known as Conversos and Moriscos, bore the brunt of the Inquisition’s cruelty. Anti-Semitism and anti-Islamic sentiment, already widespread in Europe, were exacerbated by the Church’s growing power.

Under Ferdinand and Isabella, these communities faced relentless persecution. Accused of insincerity in their conversions, thousands were tortured and executed, while hundreds of thousands fled Spain. By the end of the 15th century, Spain, once home to Europe’s largest Jewish population, had expelled nearly all its Jewish residents.

Burning at the Stake Was the Inquisitors’ Favourite Method

Among the many horrifying practices of the Spanish Inquisition, execution by burning stood out for its sheer brutality. Mass confessions were often extracted under torture, only for the victims to be executed regardless of their admissions.

One of the most infamous events involved a mass confession from 20,000 individuals, followed by public torture and executions for those who refused to implicate others. The threat of the stake loomed over all, ensuring compliance through fear alone.

The Spanish Inquisition remains one of history’s darkest chapters, a testament to the devastating consequences of fanaticism and corruption. While centuries have passed, its legacy endures as a cautionary tale of unchecked power.

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