Founding of Monterrey (1596)

Diego de Montemayor founded the city of Monterrey on September 20, 1596, establishing the first uninterrupted settlement in the region. The city was named after the viceroy of New Spain and located near a water spring.

Episodes

Background and detail

Historical Context. Monterrey is the capital of Nuevo León, situated at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The city's continuous settlement began with the 1596 founding, following a period where the region was abandoned and uninhabited for eight years.

The Founding Event. Conquistador Diego de Montemayor led a third expedition of 13 families to found the Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey. The settlement was established next to a water spring called Ojos de Agua de Santa Lucia, marking the start of the city's uninterrupted history.

Naming and Identity. The city was named after Gaspar de Zúñiga, the 5th Count of Monterrey, who served as viceroy of New Spain from 1595 to 1603. Diego de Montemayor, the founder, was a Spanish conquistador and governor of Nuevo Reino de León, though his exact birth details remain disputed among historians.

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Sources

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