Tours & activities in Madrid

Spanish Inquisition Free Walking Tour

Discover the darkest and bloodiest days of Madrid’s history with the Spanish Inquisition tour

ABOUT THE Spanish Inquisition Free Walking Tour

This 2-hour walking tour shows you some of Madrid’s landmarks most closely associated with the dark days of the Spanish Inquisition. Learn about the expulsion of the Jews, persecution, murder and torture during the Inquisition, and even witch covens.

 

Your Spanish Inquisition Tour starts and finishes in Plaza Mayor. We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

 

Religious oppression, torture and banishment

Your expert local guide will give you an in-depth insight into one of the darkest periods of Spanish and European history on the Spanish Inquisition walking tour. What began as an attempt to protect the sanctity of the Catholic church quickly escalated into a regime of oppression, with cruel torture, mass trials, over 3,000 dead and expulsions of entire religious groups, including the Jewish people.

Mysteries, myths and legacies of the Spanish Inquisition

The paranoia that developed during the Spanish Inquisition means that today, its reputation may have even outgrown the brutality of the truth. Your tour guide will tell you some of the more mysterious stories of the Spanish Inquisition, including the exorcisms of the possessed, acts of faith, and even witch covens. Today, the brutality of the Inquisition has created what the Spanish call a black legend, where continued exaggerated writings can create a distorted record of events.

The sites of the Spanish Inquisition in Madrid

You won’t just hear about the terror of the Spanish Inquisition – you’ll see major sites related to the history. Your guide will show you St. Placido, where exorcisms were carried out, take you to Plaza Mayor, where acts of faith took place, and to a jail that was used in the Spanish Inquisition.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Image for meeting point

The Spanish Inquisition Walking Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor

  • Learn about religious persecution and the expulsion of the Jews
  • Discover the origins of the Inquisition
  • See the Inquisition's jail
  • Learn about the possessed of St. Placido
  • Explore acts of faith in Plaza Mayor
  • Hear about witch covens
  • Learn about prosecution, persecution and torture
  • Understand why the Spanish refer to the black legend

TOUR SCHEDULES

Today

This tour doesn‘t run today

Next departure in Spanish : Saturday 8th Jun 20243:00 PM
Next departure in English : Saturday 8th Jun 20243:00 PM
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
  • Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
  • Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
MAP
The Spanish Inquisition Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor Open in Google Maps
Tour start Tour starts here
End start Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers

Customer reviews

What is a Free Tour?

 

The Free Tour is the best introduction to the city! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 2.5 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Madrid's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join a SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

  • The route covers many of Madrid's major landmarks
  • The meeting point is centrally located in Plaza Mayor
  • The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
  • The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN MADRID

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Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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