Gonzalo de Mendoza facts for kids

Gonzalo de Mendoza was a Spanish explorer and colonizer. He was born in Baeza, Spain, and passed away in 1558 in Asunción, Paraguay. He played an important role in the early history of what is now Paraguay.

Mendoza came from Andalusia, a region in Spain. In 1536, he joined his brother, Pedro de Mendoza, in a new Spanish settlement. This area was called New Andalusia.

Founding Asunción

Gonzalo de Mendoza helped establish one of the most important cities in the region. On August 15, 1537, he worked with Juan de Salazar y Espinosa to found a city. They named it Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción. Today, we know this city as Asunción, the capital of Paraguay. Asunción quickly became the main center for the Spanish colony.

Explorer and Leader

Gonzalo de Mendoza was a skilled leader and explorer. He served under different governors in the colony. He held important positions like captain and lieutenant. In these roles, he explored vast areas. His journeys took him through parts of Paraguay and Brazil. These explorations helped the Spanish learn more about the new lands.

Becoming Governor

In 1556, Gonzalo de Mendoza became the acting governor. He took over from Domingo Martínez de Irala. The colony was then known as the Governorate of Rio de la Plata. During his time as governor, a new city was founded. This city was called Ciudad Real del Guayrá. Ruy Díaz de Malgarejo founded it where the Pepirí-Guazú and Paraná rivers meet.

Ciudad Real del Guayrá grew quickly. It welcomed settlers from another abandoned town called Villa de Ontiveros. For a short time, this city even gave its name to the entire region of Paraguay. Gonzalo de Mendoza served as governor until 1558. After him, Captain Francisco Ortiz de Vergara took over the role.

|-style="text-align: center;" | width="30%" |Preceded by
Domingo Martínez de Irala | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Acting Governor of Rio de la Plata
1556–1558 | width="30%" |Succeeded by
Francisco Ortiz de Vergara |-