Capitulations of Santa Fe, the first step into the New World

The Capitulations of Santa Fe had finally been signed, Christopher Columbus’ adventurous expedition was about to begin.

Despite doubts and uncertainty, Columbus’ confidence is eloquent.

Everyone expects the voyage to be a success, but what they do not imagine is that it will change World History.

And it will turn Granada into America’s discovery’s Km 0.

Santa Fe, Granada, 17^th April 1492

Santa Fe, a fortified city made of stone and brick.

Once built by the Catholic Monarchs as Christian headquarters during the siege  against the last vestige of Muslim power on the peninsula.

Is about to become the “Cradle of Hispanic culture”.

It was not the first time that the Catholic Monarchs and Christopher Columbus had met.

In fact the navigator had even presented his eccentric idea of sailing to Asia across the Atlantic Ocean to the Catholic Monarchs, not once but twice, with no success.

Columbus’ pretensions were great, which is why on numerous occasions his proposal was rejected by several kings of the time.

 This time, however, would be different.

With the Reconquest over, after years of war, Christianity was strengthened and Spain positioned itself as a political and military power.

Christopher Columbus took advantage of the religious ecstasy of the Kings and linked his adventurous enterprise with the Christianisation of the place he hoped to reach.

Supported by Friar Juan Pérez, a monk who believed in Columbus’ enterprise, and had been Queen Isabella’s confessor, he made a last attempt to obtain the King and Queen’s permission. 

He claimed the voyage would allow him to bring aid to the Christians on the continent.

He also presented it as an opportunity to work for the conversion of the infidels.

In addition to that, he proposed to use the economic benefits of the expedition to finance a crusade to liberate Jerusalem from the Muslims.

Columbus was not the only believer 

In fact several people close to the court also supported Columbus’s enterprise and helped convince the Catholic Monarchs.

Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza, Archbishop of Toledo, stated that he was a “sane man of good wit and ability”.

Likewise Diego de Deza, a Dominican and member of the Council of Salamanca, was impressed by Columbus’s arguments and even interceded on his behalf with the Queen. 

Also Luis de Santángel, receiver of the ecclesiastical revenues of Aragon, was the one who convinced the Queen to accept all of Columbus’s conditions.

Finally Beatriz de Bobadilla, Marquise of Moya, and the Duke of Medinaceli also influenced Queen Isabella to give him an audience and to give in to Christopher Columbus’ demands. 

Thus, the arguments finally convinced Ferdinand and Isabella.

Therefore the Monarchs  accepted the Genoese’s enormous demands in terms of personal authority and economic benefits.

As recorded in the Capitulations of Santa Fe, signed on 17 April 1492.

That would result in the discovery of America.

Capitulations of Santa Fe, the key that opened the doors to a New World

The ambitious journey began with the signing of the Capitulations in Santa Fe, Granada, on 17 April 1492.

And ended on 12 October same year, at the beaches of Guanahaní in the Bahamas, in America.

Not in vain that the Capitulations of Santa Fe have been described by renowned historians such as  Antonio Ballesteros Beretta or Rumeu de Armas as the “Americas´discovered Carta Magna” or “Draft of the birth certificate of the New World”. 

The Capitulations, at the time,  were a contract signed between monarchs and individuals for the accomplishment of different actions or affairs.

Nevertheless, this contract was not bilateral in nature.

Actually it was rather a concession and a grant from one to the other, i.e. a royal permission that gave the individual exclusivity in the mission entrusted.

Despite the religious character with which the whole expedition and conquest was conceived, the Capitulations of Santa Fe had a strong mercantile content.

And religious and missionary questions did not appear.

In the Capitulations of Santa Fe, Columbus was granted to:

• The title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea as well as the positions of Viceroy and  General Governor with hereditary title of all the discovered lands.
• He had the  right to receive a tenth of all the riches obtained, such as gold, silver, pearls, precious stones and spices, as well as an eighth of all the profits obtained on this voyage.
• Authority to intervene and decide on problems arising in matters of wealth.

In spite of these agreements and concessions, Christopher Columbus died relatively poor, with a large number of rights and privileges, but not the fortune he might have expected.

Santa Fe, Granada, 17^th April 2022

The Capitulations of Santa Fe are still nowadays a matter of pride for the Granada community.

Because of Its  historical relevance, universal, authentic, unique and irreplaceable characters are also included from 2009 in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Whose purpose is the preservation and dissemination of documentary evidence of exceptional value and relevance of the World Documentary Heritage.

Every 17th April the streets of Santa Fe get dressed up  with motifs from the time of Columbus and the Catholic Monarchs to recall those historical events.

Santaferines like wearing fancy dresses evoking typical costumes of that period  while recreating theatrical performances, medieval dances and troops parades.

At the medieval market  you can find peculiarities from the period, and you can also enjoy  the typical delicacies.

From falconry performances, shooting arrows with a bow or playing traditional games, more detailed information on all activities can be found at http://www.santafe.es

Every corner of Granada is full of history, stunning artistic creations, and the most tasteful gastronomy.

There is so much to visit and to enjoy that, to make the most out of your trip I highly recommend you to have a private tour with a professional tourist guide.

Contact me to discover the authentic Granada and its fascinating history together!