Valparaíso – A Brief & Interesting History
Valparaíso was discovered in 1536 by Spanish explorer Juan de Saavedra while searching for his supply ship, the Santiaguillo. A conquistador from Spain, Diego de Almagro had sent the Santiaguillo to open trade routes and supply de Saavedra’s expedition. This expedition was part of a Spanish belief that there was greater treasures to be found beyond Peru. On arrival in Quintil Bay, de Saavedra named the region Valle del Paraíso (Valley of Paradise) after his home village in Spain. It remained a relatively small village comprised of a church and a few houses for almost 300 years.
