Auto-da-fé ! Have you ever heard about it ?

An auto-da-fé is a Portuguese word meaning “Act of faith”. It was held in Spain for the first time in February 6, 1481. Auto-da-fé is one kind of the Spanish Inquisition verdicts and it became rare on the 18^th century only. It was a kind of public ceremony divided into two parts; the first part where there was a condemnation to the accused persons by the Inquisition, and the second part where execution by fine takes place by the civil authorities. Accused people who refused to admit their misconducts were burned alive! An auto-da-fé held in Lisbon in 1755 was mentioned by François-Marie Arouet Voltaire in his French satire “Candide”.

Sources: http://www.christianity.com/ChurchHistory/11629890/

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/candide3.asp