Inquisition Museum (Museo Del Castillo De San Jorge)

The Basics

Founded in 2009, the Inquisition Museum chronicles the religious purges that took place during one of the darkest periods of Spanish history. Here, visitors learn about how the Inquisition occurred—from accusations and inquiries to detentions and torture—as well as about daily life in the castle for both prisoners and jailers by way of interactive exhibits.

However, there are no torture devices on display; instead, look out for drawings by Spanish artist Goya depicting suspects wearing pointed caps and tunics marked with an X. Some Triana and Seville walking tours also pass by or pay a visit to the museum.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The below-ground Inquisition Museum offers a cool respite from the hot Seville sun.

• There are no torture devices on display, so it’s fine to visit with young children.

• Maps at the museum show the other major Inquisition-related sites in Seville.

• The museum is free to enter and there are free audio guides available.

• The Inquisition Museum is situated underground and is reached by steep steps; therefore, it’s not accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

The Inquisition Museum is situated on the Plaza del Altozano, next to the Triana Bridge and beneath the municipal market. The entrance near the north tower of the bridge is easy to miss, so don’t panic if you pass straight by at first. While easy to reach on foot, you can also get there by taking bus 43 to San Jorge (Altozano) or bus C3 to Pages del Corro (San Jacinto).

When to Get There

The Inquisition Museum is open every day except Monday, typically from the mid-morning until the late-afternoon. The museum generally closes earlier on Sundays, around lunchtime. Although an interesting museum, the Museo del Castillo de San Jorge rarely feels overcrowded and there’s no bad time to visit although weekends tend to be busier. It’s a good place to go at midday, when the Seville sun is at its peak.

Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition

Except that, contrary to what Monty Python would have you believe, they definitely did. The Spanish Inquisition was established in the 15th century in an effort to stamp out heretics among Muslims and Jews who’d converted to Catholicism. It later began to target Muslims and Jews who hadn’t converted, demanding that they either convert or leave Castile. However, they were often given a 30-day warning period before the Inquisition marched into town.