The City of Monterrey in New Spain is founded by Diego de Montemayor

After two unsuccessful expeditions on behalf of Kind Philip II, Diego de Montemayor was finally able to establish a small settlement in the territory of Nuevo Leon. Montemayor made his way to Monterrey with roughly 40 people and served as governor.

On this day September 19th, in 1596, the City of Monterrey is founded by Diego de Montemayor in New Spain. During the years of Spanish rule it remained a small city founded by people of Sephardic Jewish descent. Montermayor himself is thought to be a descendant of Sephardic Jews as well.

The city of Monterrey was a very small city under Spanish rule but grew to be a major economic center after Mexican independence. Today, remnants of its Jewish past can be found in the region’s traditional cuisine based on the Jewish cuisine of the founders of the city. Monterrey is Mexico’s 2nd wealthiest city, with as USD GDP of $102 Billion, and has a large metropolitan area of over 4 million people.