Juan Ramírez de Velasco
Spanish conquistador
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Juan Ramírez de Velasco (c.1539 – 1597) was a Spanish conquistador of Chile and Argentina. Founder of the province of La Rioja.[1]
Juan Ramírez de la Piscina de Velasco y Ábalos | |
|---|---|
portrait of Juan Ramírez de Velasco | |
| Governor of the Tucumán (1586-1593) Governor of the Río de la Plata and Paraguay (1595-1596) | |
| Monarch | Philip II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1539 |
| Died | 1597 (aged 57–58) |
| Occupation | Conquistador |
| Profession | Military man |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Rank | General |
Biography
Career
In his youth Ramírez fought in Flanders and Italy during the Italian War of 1551–59.[4] Arrived in America Ramirez was appointed governor of Tucumán by Philip II of Spain to replace Hernando de Lerma.[5] Ramírez served in the government of Tucuman between 1586 and 1593.
In 1588 being the governor of Tucumán Juan Ramirez de Velasco made expeditions against the Indians in calchaquí valley and won the allegiance of a son of Juan Calchaquí. Shortly after he founded the city of Todos los Santos de la Nueva Rioja.[6] In 1592 he founded the city of Madrid de las Juntas in the present department Metán.[7]
In 1594 Juan Ramírez Velasco was appointed commander of the Governorate of the Rio de la Plata a position he held between 1595 and 1597.[8] He was replaced by Hernando Arias de Saavedra.
Juan Ramirez de Velasco died in February 1597 in the City of Santa Fe, Argentina.[9]