The impact of the Spanish Inquisition on European culture was profound and multifaceted. Established in 1478, the Inquisition aimed to maintain Catholic orthodoxy but also contributed to a climate of fear and repression. It led to the persecution of Jews, Muslims, and later Protestants, which had societal implications, including the cultural and intellectual stifling of artists and thinkers. The Inquisition is often viewed as a mechanism of control, affecting literature, philosophy, and the sciences. It also played a role in bolstering the power of the Catholic Church during a period of tumultuous religious upheaval across Europe.