Torture Instruments @ The Inquisition Palace (Cartagena)

In Cartagena, there is an Inquisition Palace (Palacio de la Inquisición) where you can learn about the Inquisition, which was the "enforcement wing" of the Spanish Catholic Church. They operated during the 1400's-1800's in Spain and the Spanish Empire's colonies with the purpose of enforcing Catholic worship and identifying and punishing heretics and non-conformers.

The entire museum was informative and, although upsetting, definitely worth a visit. The most stunning things I encountered were the instruments of torture used by the Inquisition. There were many, but three are shown in the picture below. They are (from left to right)...

1) Breast Ripper (Desgarrador de Senos): This instrument was made from iron with sharp claws and heated before being used to rip the breasts from "uncooperative women."

2) Saint Elmo Belt (Cinturón de San Erasmo): This circular, iron object was covered in spikes and arranged around the neck of a victim so that every team he/she made the slightest of movements, including breathing, his/her neck would be poked or slit.

3) Heretic's Fork (Horquilla del Hereje): A fork the length of the victim's neck was fastened to the front of the victim's neck with its sharp points extending into the under area of the face just behind the chin so that any downward movement by the victim of his/her head would result in the victim's skin being pierced by the fork.