HistorySoap vats and cordovans: the viceregal agroindustry
The viceregal economy of Piura revolved around goats and algarrobo: soap vats and tanneries produced soap and famed cordovans shipped to Potosí, Callao and Panama.
Conquest and Viceroyalty
Definitive founding: San Miguel del Villar de Piura (1588)
About this place
El 11 de noviembre de 1587 el virrey Conde del Villar ordenó el traslado definitivo a la cuenca baja del río Piura; el capitán Juan de Cadalso Salazar eligió el paraje boscoso de El Chilcal, en Tacalá. La fundación formal se consumó el 15 de agosto de 1588 con el reparto de solemne de solares y constitución del cabildo, conservándose el acta notarial original. El sitio ofrecía agua dulce abundante, suelos aluviales, microclima atemperado por algarrobos y resguardo frente al mar: es la Piura actual.
Photo gallery1 photos
References & sources
Information verified and compiled by the MiPiura editorial team.
How to cite this resource (APA 7th ed.)
Webpage citation according to APA guidelines (7th edition).
MiPiura. (2026, October 7) Definitive founding: San Miguel del Villar de Piura (1588). MiPiura.https://www.mipiura.com/en/conquista-y-virreinato/fundacion-san-miguel-del-villar/
Keep exploring
Other milestones in this historical era
History
HistoryGeorge Anson's attack and the Virgin of Las Mercedes (1741)
In 1741 George Anson sacked and burned Paita, stabbing the effigy of Our Lady of Las Mercedes, which washed ashore unharmed and became Patroness of the Arms of Peru.
HistoryPiura la Vieja at Monte de los Padres (1534–1570)
From 1534 to 1570 the town thrived at Monte de los Padres (Alto Piura) with a regular grid and a Main Church, until the water collapse forced its relocation.
