The myth of the seven cities of gold arose from the account of Fray Marcos de Niza in 1539. His vision of Cíbola, adorned with turquoise and stone houses, motivated one of the most ambitious expeditions of New Spain: that of Vázquez de Coronado. This article explores how a story between faith, desire, and exaggeration transformed the history of northern Mesoamerica.  

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The Seven Cities of Gold: The Myth Born with Fray Marcos de Niza and the Exploration of the North | XIKOOVA

In 1536, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca arrived in New Spain after an unexpected journey through the north of the continent. His account, full of encounters, shipwrecks, and healing rituals, aroused the interest of Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza and led to new expeditions in search of the regions he described. 

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Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and the origin of new expeditions: between shipwrecks, healing, and survival | XIKOOVA

During the viceroyalty, town councils and city councils were key local government bodies for urban administration, although they were dominated by the peninsular and creole elites.

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/town-councils-and-city-councils-in-new-spain-local-power-and-urban-representation/

The legal system of the Viceroyalty of New Spain was built on laws, compilations, and political doctrine. Learn how royal decrees, the Recopilación de Leyes de Indias (Compilation of Laws of the Indies), and the so-called Política Indiana (Indian Policy) worked. 

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/codes-compilations-and-legal-doctrine-of-the-viceregal-government/

Visits and residence trials were key mechanisms for controlling the officials of the viceroyalty of New Spain. Their application revealed both the concern for good government and the internal tensions of viceregal power. 

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/visits-and-residency-trials-in-new-spain-control-and-supervision-of-viceregal-authorities/

The Catholic Church was a key institution in New Spain. This article explores its role in evangelization, the accumulation of power and its tensions with the viceregal government.  

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/the-catholic-church-in-new-spain-evangelization-power-and-tensions/

During the viceroyalty, the native peoples maintained their forms of government adapted to viceregal control. This article explores the role of cabildos, caciques and traditional authorities under the Catholic monarchy.  

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/indigenous-government-under-the-viceregal-regime-cabildos-caciques-and-traditional-authorities/

During the viceroyalty of New Spain, the viceroy was presented as the protector of the native peoples. This article analyzes this paternalistic figure and its limits in practice.  

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/protection-of-indigenous-peoples-in-the-viceroyalty-the-viceroy-as-father-of-the-natives/

In this article we explore how local power was organized in New Spain through alcaldes mayores, corregidores and lieutenants. A key system for administering the vast viceroyalty. 

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/government-in-the-provinces-of-new-spain-alcaldes-mayores-corregidores-and-lieutenants/

Beyond being a court, the Real Audiencia de México was a relevant political actor in New Spain. This article explores its functions, disputes and institutional weight. 

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https://www.xikoova.com/en/the-royal-court-of-mexico-justice-power-and-authority-conflicts/