Diego Gutiérrez y Toledo facts for kids

Diego Gutiérrez y Toledo (born around 1510, died December 1544) was an important figure in early Spanish exploration. He became the first governor of a region called Nuevo Cartago y Costa Rica. This area was part of the larger Spanish territories in Central America. He was named governor in 1540 but faced challenges starting his role until 1543. He tried to set up new settlements, founding Santiago in 1543 and San Francisco in 1544, both in what is now Costa Rica. His actions led to conflict with local people, which sadly ended in his death.

Early Life and Family

Diego Gutiérrez y Toledo was born in 1510 in Madrid, a city in Spain. His father, Alonso Gutiérrez de Madrid, held an important job as a royal treasurer for the Spanish king. His mother was María Rodríguez de Pisa. Diego also had a brother named Felipe Gutiérrez y Toledo (1500–1544), who later became the governor of another region called Veragua.

Becoming Governor

Diego Gutiérrez y Toledo was chosen to be the first governor of Nuevo Cartago y Costa Rica Province. This was a new area that the Spanish Crown wanted to control. He was officially named governor on November 29, 1540. However, he faced many problems that delayed his journey and his start as governor. He finally began his duties in late 1543.

Settlements in Costa Rica

Once he arrived in the region, Diego Gutiérrez y Toledo worked to establish new Spanish settlements.

• On November 22, 1543, he founded a small village named Santiago in what is now Costa Rica.
• Later, on October 4, 1544, he founded another village called San Francisco. He decided to move the settlement from Santiago to San Francisco.

Conflicts and Final Days

In San Francisco, Gutiérrez y Toledo invited several local leaders to meet with him. He then kept them, hoping to receive valuable items in return for their freedom. One of the leaders managed to escape. Another leader explained that he did not have anything valuable to offer. Because of this, Gutiérrez y Toledo made him work for the Spanish colonists.

This action angered other local groups. In response, they attacked and destroyed the Spanish settlement of San Francisco. Gutiérrez y Toledo and the remaining colonists then tried to escape into the jungle. Sadly, they were attacked by the native people and killed in December 1544.