The conqueror Nicolás de Ribera el Viejo and the foundation of the natural hospital of Ica, 1522-1563

Abstract

The discovery and conquest of Peru was a company of daring and often adventurous men, who risking everything taking the way to the unknown in search of wealth, privilege and power, impossible to get in Spain. One of those men was the conqueror Nicolás de Ribera el Viejo, who stood near Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro since the beginning of the process. He learned to stand firm in the most critical and decisive moments of the first trips and expeditions, such as El Gallo island. For this reason he would be elected as the first major of the city where he permanently settled down: Lima. In this way he contributed with other conquerors, to merge two diametrically opposing cultures, Hispanic and Andean; and in the final stage of his life he founded a hospital for Indians of his “encomienda” in Ica Valley. He also bequeathed a portion of his property to the indians.