Educational purpose only. This post documents historical practices related to executions and aims to educate about historical procedures. We do not glorify violence or hate.
The Dark Reason the Garrote Was Modified with a Spike: From Strangulation to Certain Death
The garrote is one of history’s most brutal execution methods, strongly associated with Spain. Originally a simple strangulation device using a rope tightened with a stick, it was later modified to include a sharp spike. This modification had a very dark and chilling purpose: to make death more certain—and more efficient.
This article examines the origins of the garrote, the purpose behind the spiked variant, and why even this “improvement” often failed to deliver a swift death.
1. The Origin of the Garrote: From Stick to Iron Collar
The word “garrote” comes from the Spanish word for a stick or cudgel . The original execution method was simple: a rope was placed around the victim’s neck, and a stick was inserted into the loop. By twisting the stick, the rope was tightened until strangulation occurred .
In the early 19th century, under King Ferdinand VII, the garrote became Spain’s official execution method, replacing hanging . The device evolved into an iron collar attached to a wooden post or chair. The victim was restrained, and a screw mechanism tightened the collar around the neck until the person died .
2. The “Dark Reason” – Why the Spike Was Added
The spiked version of the garrote, known as the Catalan garrote, incorporated a fixed metal blade or spike directed at the spinal cord . The purpose was both practical and brutal:
Faster death: In theory, the spike would penetrate the spinal column, causing immediate loss of consciousness or death by breaking the neck .
More reliable execution: Strangulation could take several minutes. The spike was meant to ensure the victim died quickly.
However, the spike’s effectiveness depended heavily on the executioner’s skill and strength—and it often failed.
3. The Brutal Reality: When the Garrote Failed
Despite its design, the garrote was anything but humane. The spike rarely worked as intended. Instead of delivering a quick death, it often:
Missed the spinal cord and merely pierced the flesh .
Caused the victim to die slowly from strangulation rather than a broken neck .
Medical reports from executions like that of José María Jarabo in 1958 noted that death occurred with “excessive slowness” —taking 15 minutes of what witnesses described as “true torture” . Some victims endured up to 30 minutes of agonizing death .
4. The Catalan Garrote: The Most Brutal Variant
The Catalan version of the garrote was even more notorious. It included a sharp, fixed spike that was supposed to sever the spinal cord . But in practice, it often prolonged the suffering rather than shortening it. The spike was designed to break the neck quickly—but when it missed, it caused additional injury while the victim continued to suffocate.
5. The Legacy of a Brutal Method
The garrote remained Spain’s official execution method until 1974, when the last two executions were carried out . Salvador Puig Antich and Heinz Chez (Georg Michael Welzel) were executed by garrote on March 2, 1974 .
The garrote was officially abolished in 1978 when Spain adopted a new democratic constitution . The spike, intended to make death swift, became a symbol of how even “improved” execution methods could fail—turning a supposedly humane death into a prolonged nightmare.
Primary Sources:
Britannica — Garrote history and description
Ecured — Garrote vil
Wikipedia — Garotte
Papers Past — A Spanish Execution (1897 account)
ABC — ¿En qué consistía el garrote vil?
Todos los Nombres — 40 años de la derogación del garrote vil