Santa Fe Province

Lore & Background

In 1514, the Spanish first permanently settled in the area. Santa Marta was founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, and Cartagena in 1533, establishing Spanish control of the coast. Starting in 1536, the conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada explored the interior by following the Magdalena River into the Andean cordillera. His force defeated the powerful Muisca and founded the city of Santa Fe de Bogotá, naming the region 'El nuevo reino de Granada' in honor of the last part of Spain to be recaptured from the Moors. After Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada left for Spain in May 1539, the reign of the colony was transferred to his brother Hernán. However, Emperor Charles V granted the right to rule over the area to rival conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar in 1540, who named himself governor of Popayán. Charles V ordered the establishment of an audiencia at Santa Fe de Bogotá in 1549. The Real Audiencia was created by a royal decree of July 17, 1549, with authority over the provinces of Santa Marta, Río de San Juan, Popayán, Guayana and Cartagena de Indias. It held its first session on April 7, 1550, in a mansion on the Plaza Mayor at the site which today houses the Colombian Palace of Justice.

Reader's Guide

The Real Audiencia of Santa Fe was the governing body of the New Kingdom of Granada. Law VIII of Title XV of Book II of the Recopilación de Leyes de las Indias of 1680 describes its final limits and functions. It was to reside in Santa Fé de Bogotá with a president, governor and captain general; five judges of civil cases, who shall also be judges of criminal cases; a crown attorney; a bailiff; a lieutenant of the Gran Chancellor; and other necessary ministers. Its district included the provinces of the New Kingdom, Santa Marta, Río de San Juan, and Popayán, except those places marked for the Royal Audiencia of Quito; and of Guayana, or El Dorado, that which is not of the Audiencia of Hispaniola; and all of the Province of Cartagena. The governor and captain general was to exercise the government of all the district in the same manner as the Viceroys of New Spain. In 1650, the population of the New Kingdom of Granada (including the Province of Popayán) was estimated to be around 750,000, with Indians numbering 600,000 people, or 80% of the population. This is far lower than the Pre-Columbian population estimated at 6,000,000. As part of the Bourbon Reforms, an independent Viceroyalty of New Granada was established in 1717 (re-established in 1739 after a short interruption), and the governor-president of Bogotá became the viceroy.

Did You Know?

• The Real Audiencia of Santa Fe was created by a royal decree of July 17, 1549.
• The audiencia held its first session on April 7, 1550, in a mansion on the Plaza Mayor.
• In 1650, the population of the New Kingdom of Granada was estimated at around 750,000, with Indians numbering 600,000 (80% of the population).
• The Pre-Columbian population of the region was estimated at 6,000,000 people.
• The Viceroyalty of New Granada was first established in 1717 and permanently established in 1739.