Pedro de Valdivia

The Spaniard who conquered Chile and founded Santiago.

Life

Pizarro's lieutenant

Valdivia came from Extremadura in Spain, fought in the Italian Wars, and later went to the Americas, where he followed Pizarro in the conquest of Peru.

Santiago

In 1540 he led just over 100 Spaniards south into Chile; in 1541 he founded the city of Santiago, then pushed south, founding towns such as Concepción and Valdivia, and became Governor of Chile.

Tucapel

In 1553 he was defeated and captured by the Mapuche at Tucapel, and executed.

Legacy

Valdivia was the founder of colonial Chile, and the city of Valdivia in southern Chile is named after him.

Major works & achievements

• Letters

Did you know? According to legend, the Mapuche poured molten gold down his throat to mock the Spaniards' greed—a story similar to the legend of Crassus, and not necessarily true.

Key dates

• 1540Marches south into Chile
• 1541Founds Santiago
• 1550Founds Concepción
• 1553Captured and killed by the Mapuche