Pedro de Candia facts for kids

Pedro de Candia (born in Crete, Kingdom of Candia around 1485 – died in Chupas, Viceroyalty of Peru in 1542) was a Greek explorer and mapmaker. He worked for the Kingdom of Spain and became an officer in the Spanish Navy. He was known as a Conquistador, which means a Spanish conqueror, especially during the time Spain explored and took over lands in the Americas.

Pedro de Candia was very skilled with guns and cannons. He was one of the first Europeans to explore Panama and the coast of Colombia. He also played a big part in the conquest of Peru, which was the Spanish takeover of the Inca Empire. He was killed in a battle in Peru called the Battle of Chupas on September 16, 1542.

Where did Pedro de Candia grow up?

Pedro de Candia was born on the island of Crete. At that time, Crete was part of the Republic of Venice and was known as the Kingdom of Candia. He was born in the city of Heraklion, which was then called Candia. This is why he was known as "de Candia."

He left Crete with a relative who worked for the Crown of Aragon (a part of Spain). This relative took him to Italy. In Italy, Pedro de Candia trained to be a Condottieri, which was a leader of a group of soldiers for hire. He fought in battles against the Turks and in other wars in Italy, including the Battle of Pavia. Later, he moved to Spain to serve the Spanish King and Queen. He also got married in Spain.

How did Pedro de Candia help conquer Peru?

Pedro de Candia first traveled to America in 1526 with Governor Pedro de los Ríos. They explored Panama and the coast of Colombia.

Later, the Spanish King sent him on a special mission to meet with the local people. He joined Diego de Almagro and Francisco Pizarro on their first trips along the coast of Peru. When they landed at Tacamez, north of Guayaquil, Pedro de Candia was already in charge of the cannons.

He was one of the "Famous Thirteen" who stayed with Pizarro on the islands of Gallo and Gorgona. From these islands, they started exploring the Peruvian coast and Inca ports. As part of his special mission, Pedro de Candia personally visited Inca towns to talk with the local people and learn about their lives. He visited Tumbez and then went with Pizarro to Spain. They told Emperor Charles V about their amazing discoveries. The emperor then made Candia the main commander of all the cannons for the fleet (group of ships) sent to conquer Peru.

Pedro de Candia was there when the Inca king Atahualpa was defeated and captured. He received a large share of the gold and silver that Atahualpa paid as a ransom. While living in Cuzco, Pedro de Candia made weapons and ammunition for Pizarro, who was fighting against Diego de Almagro.

After Almagro was defeated in the Battle of Las Salinas, Candia tried to conquer a region called Ambaya beyond the Andes mountains. But he was not successful. He was eventually arrested by Hernando Pizarro. Pedro de Candia was upset by how he was treated and felt abandoned by his old friends. So, he joined the followers of Almagro. With the help of sixteen other Greeks, he brought cannons to the battle of Chupas. However, he did not fight well in the battle. Almagro suspected that Candia had betrayed them and ordered his troops to kill him.

What is Pedro de Candia's legacy?

Because of his special mission from the Spanish King to talk with local people, Pedro de Candia paid close attention to communicating with the Incas and other native groups. This helped him make a great discovery: the Golden Temple of the Sun, which was built by Huayna Capac.

Pedro de Candia's visits, discoveries, and story were written down by the Inca Garcilaso in his book GVAINA CAPAC INGA. The Spaniard Pedro Cieza de León also wrote about him in his "Cronicas de Americas." Later, his story was shown in a book of images by Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala.

Pedro de Candia had brothers who also played roles in the Spanish colonies. His oldest brother, Teodoro de Candia, became a priest and led Catholic missions in the Amazon region, in what is now Misiones Province. His brother Juan Andres de Candia helped develop the colonial area in Cusco. Pedro's younger brother, Juan Martín de Candia, was sent by the Spanish King to explore the southern part of the continent with Pedro de Valdivia, who founded the city of Santiago. Juan Martín de Candia settled in Chile.

See also

• Jorge Griego
• Famous Thirteen