Diego de Villalba y Toledo facts for kids
Diego de Villalba y Toledo was an important Spanish leader and military general. He was a governor in America during a time when Spain controlled many lands there. From 1667 to 1671, he was the governor of a large area called the New Kingdom of Granada, which is now mostly Colombia. This region was then part of a bigger Spanish territory known as the Viceroyalty of Peru.
Villalba y Toledo was a special knight in the Order of Santiago, a famous Spanish group. He also worked for Juan José of Austria, who was the son of the Spanish King Philip IV. Before coming to New Granada, he was the governor of Cuba from 1647 to 1653.
Governor of New Granada
In 1667, Diego de Villalba y Toledo became the governor of the Nuevo Reino de Granada (New Granada). During his time as governor, some important building projects were finished. A big bridge was completed over the Bogotá River, and another bridge was built over the Río Gualí near Honda. Local workers helped build these bridges.
He also had to deal with threats from pirates. He traveled to Cartagena de Indias to check its defenses after the English pirate Henry Morgan attacked a castle there in 1668. At the same time, there were worries that the French might also try to attack New Granada.
Money Problems
New Granada had a problem with not having enough coins. To fix this, Villalba ordered that silver bars be melted down. This silver was then used to make new coins, like those worth one-quarter and one-half of a real (a type of Spanish coin).
Investigation and Later Life
People made many complaints to the Spanish King about Villalba's leadership. Because of these complaints, a bishop named Melchor Liñán y Cisneros was sent to investigate. The bishop ordered that Villalba be held in Villa de Leiva while the investigation happened.
There were many accusations against him. The bishop later took over as governor of New Granada on June 2, 1671. Bishop Liñán y Cisneros later became a very important leader himself, serving as the viceroy of Peru.
Villalba y Toledo later died in Seville, Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Diego de Villalba y Toledo para niños
