Pedro Fernández de Valenzuela

Biography

Pedro Fernández de Valenzuela was born in a noble family in an unknown year in Córdoba, Andalusia. He was a cousin of other conquistadors; Hernán Venegas Carrillo, Martín Yañés Tafur and Juan Tafur. Fernández de Valenzuela fought under the Spanish king Carlos II in Italy and gained the title of captain. He left for Santa Marta in the army of Pedro Fernández de Lugo and later accompanied Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada on the journey towards the Muisca Confederation. De Quesada trusted Fernández de Valenzuela to explore the rich emerald region of Somondoco in 1537 and next year included him in the army to fight the Panche in the Battle of Tocarema. Fernández de Valenzuela accompanied De Quesada and other conquistadors on his journey back to Spain in 1539 and returned to Córdoba. He had a son and daughter; Pedro and Isabel Fernández de Valenzuela.