Puerto Montega

Puerto Montega was an Iberic colonial town founded in 1630 by Diego de Montega, located in present-day Pecario approximately south of El Rosario, in Costa Dorada. It was the first city founded by Iberic conquistadors in Mesothalassa. After Diego de Montega founded Santa Borbones in 1633, the town was gradually abandoned and ended up being completely forgotten.

In 2011 the lost site of the town was rediscovered, and in 2018 the government of Pecario opened the Parque Arqueológico e Histórico de Puerto Montega.

Foundation

Diego de Montega, arriving in the Manaman Bay, decided to establish a colony near the coasts of Pecario. Convinced of the opportunities this new land could offer, he founded the city of Puerto Montega. The settlers had to adapt to the climate, local resources, and establish relationships with the indigenous populations already present. Early exchanges were complex, oscillating between distrust and attempts at mutual understanding.

Monument to Diego de Montega in Santa Borbones, founder of Puerto Montega

Challenges and Abandonment

However, despite the efforts made, the colony of Puerto Montega faced several major obstacles. Local resources did not meet expectations, making the economic viability of the colony difficult. Moreover, relations with the indigenous populations became strained as the violent conquest of the Tuachec Empire was heightening tensions.

Moroever diseases brought by the Iberics began to spread among the indigenous populations, leading to tensions and conflicts. With the foundation of the city of Santa Borbones in 1633, the population of the city gradually left Puerto Montega to join the new capital city. And in 1634, the city was completely deserted.