Pedro Fernández de Lugo facts for kids

Pedro Fernández de Lugo (born in Seville around 1475 – died in Santa Marta in 1536) was an important Spanish leader. He was the second adelantado (a special title given to explorers and governors) of the Canary Islands. He also served as the governor of Tenerife and La Palma, two of the Canary Islands. King Charles I of Spain confirmed his title in 1519.

Pedro was the son of Alonso Fernández de Lugo, who was also a famous explorer. Pedro moved to Gran Canaria as a child. He later joined his father on trips to Barbary, a region in North Africa. In 1509, his father gave him control over some areas on the coast of Africa. Pedro was in charge of a fort called Santa Cruz de Mar Pequeña. He also took part in expeditions against the Berber people with the Portuguese people.

Expedition to the New World

When Pedro Fernández de Lugo was about 60 years old, he decided to organize a big trip. This expedition was headed to what is now Colombia in the New World. Two people, Cristóbal Francesquini and Juan Alberto Gerardini, helped him pay for the trip. Juan Alberto Gerardini was from Florence and lived in Tenerife.

Governor of Santa Marta

Pedro Fernández de Lugo left for the New World in 1535. He had been appointed as the Governor of Santa Marta, a city in present-day Colombia.

Search for the Magdalena River

For this important journey, Fernández de Lugo chose Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada as his main leader. The main goal of the expedition was to find where the Magdalena River started. They also wanted to find a land route to Peru.

Discovery of the Muisca

The expedition led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada ended up making a huge discovery. They found and conquered the land of the Muisca people. This was a significant event in the Spanish conquest of the Muisca. Sadly, Pedro Fernández de Lugo died in 1536. He passed away before he could hear the news about the Muisca people and their rich lands.

See also

In Spanish: Pedro Fernández de Lugo para niños