Curious Historian ·

16 May 2024, 00:00

By Sarah Norman | December 8, 2023

What Are The Lost Cities?

Step into a world shrouded in mystery and intrigue, where tales of unimaginable riches and lost civilizations beckon your imagination. In the 16th century, as the Spanish Empire expanded its reach into the vast landscapes of New Spain (now Mexico), whispers of a fabled "Seven Cities of Gold" known as "Cíbola" began to permeate through the adventurous hearts of explorers and conquistadors. These elusive cities were said to be hidden somewhere in the vast desert, hundreds of miles to the north, their existence a tantalizing enigma. The origins of these legends are as elusive as the cities themselves, with stories tracing back to an earlier Portuguese legend of seven cities founded on the mysterious island of Antillia in the 8th century or tales inspired by the capture of Mérida, Spain, by the Moors in 1150. Join us on a journey as we unravel the mysteries of Cíbola, the Lost City of Gold, and delve into the captivating history that surrounds this enigmatic legend. Prepare to be captivated, for the secrets of Cíbola await your discovery – continue reading to uncover the truth.

Tales about undiscovered cities filled with vast riches were prevalent in medieval times and several of them remain today. The story of Cibola, the seven cities of gold, originated in 713 AD when the Moors were invading Spain and Portugal and the Iberian peninsula was under Arab control. Portuguese bishops carried away gold and priceless religious artifacts from the city of Oporto and sailed away to a secret location that was only accessible by boat. But no one knew where this mysterious place could be.

Does America Hold The Key To The Lost City Of Gold?

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When explorers set foot in the Americas and observed the natives with gold trinkets, it renewed interest in the old Cibola legends. Perhaps, the lost cities of gold were located in the Americas.

There Are More Lost Cities Than Cibola

Beyond the mystique of "Cíbola," the annals of history are adorned with a tapestry of other mythical lost cities, each bearing its own allure and enigmatic allure. El Dorado, the famed City of Gold, has long captured the imagination of explorers, lured by the promise of unimaginable wealth hidden deep within the Amazon rainforest. Paititi, hidden within the dense jungles of South America, has been sought after for centuries as an Incan refuge laden with treasures. The City of the Caesars, rumored to exist in the Patagonian wilderness, has tantalized explorers with the notion of a hidden Roman city in the New World. Lake Parime at Manoa, believed to house the elusive El Dorado, led expeditions through the uncharted Amazon in pursuit of riches beyond measure. Antilia, the legendary island of the Seven Cities, inspired seafarers in search of a utopian paradise. Quivira, a city of gold believed to be in the American Southwest, ignited the curiosity of Spanish conquistadors. These mythical lost cities share a common allure—they embody the human desire for the unknown, the allure of uncharted territories, and the tantalizing prospect of unimaginable wealth and hidden civilizations. These legends continue to inspire adventurers and explorers, reminding us that the thrill of the unknown still beckons in our modern age.

It's Possible That The Lost City Of Gold Comes From A Portuguese Legend

The allure of the lost cities of gold, including "Cíbola," finds its roots in the intricate tapestry of European exploration and legends that preceded the 16th century Spanish expeditions. One particularly compelling origin of these myths can be traced back to an early Portuguese legend that spoke of seven cities founded on the enigmatic island of Antillia by a Catholic expedition in the 8th century. This legend, deeply embedded in European folklore, was a testament to the audacious spirit of exploration that permeated the age of discovery. The belief that such mythical cities could exist beyond the known horizons was bolstered by the captivating tale of the Moors' capture of Mérida, Spain, in 1150, which led to rumors of lost treasures and abandoned cities. These legends served as a catalyst, igniting the imagination of 16th-century explorers, who were driven by a potent combination of curiosity, ambition, and the tantalizing prospect that somewhere, beyond the edge of their known world, lay untold riches and hidden civilizations. The idea that these tales might hold a kernel of truth only heightened the sense of adventure and the fervent desire to embark on daring expeditions in search of these legendary cities of gold.

Cortez Finds New World Riches

Hernan Cortez’s discovery of the wealth of the Aztec people, and his subsequent looting of their cities and killing of their people, only added to the myth that the Americas were home to seven cities of gold just waiting to be discovered and plundered. The complex and sophisticated society of the Aztec and the gold artifacts they created only fed the Spaniard's lust for gold in the New World.

The Narvaez Expedition

The Narvaez Expedition of 1527, under the leadership of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, was 600 strong when the Conquistadors left Cuba for Florida and the Gulf Coast. The official purpose of the expedition was to colonize the region for Spain, but off the record, the group was searching for the fabled gold of the Aztecs.

Lost In America

Lost in unfamiliar territory, the expedition soon ran low of supplies and were repeatedly attacked by hostile natives. Still, they pushed on. It took eight years for de Vaca and three other members of the group to reach northern Mexico. During that time, the men had many interactions with the indigenous people.

The Story of Estaban

One of the surviving members of the Narvaez Expedition was a Spanish slave named Estaban. Estaban was described as a “black Muslim from Azamoor,” a city on the Moroccan coast. Estaban spoke several languages and was an educated man, despite his position as a slave.

Esteban Heard About Cibola From The Indigenous People He Met Along The Way

During the Narvaez Expedition, Estaban was often sent ahead of the group to act as a scout and to announce the group's arrival to the tribal chiefs. It was on one of these solo scouting trips that Estaban was told a fantastic story about seven cities of gold located to the north where the citizens were all wealthy and wore fine clothing and the buildings were build with multiple levels.

A Franciscan Friar was Sure Cibola was in Mexico

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Fray Marcos de Niza, an Italian Franciscan friar, and missionary was one of the first explorers of the American southwest. He journeyed into this area after hearing Estaban’s story because he was certain that the lost cities of Cibola were located there. He also got his information from the indigenous people of Mexico and Central America who told him that the gold in their possession came from great cities to the north. De Niza searched and searched for Cibola in what is now Arizona and New Mexico.

Did De Niza Find Cibola?

When de Niza returned to Spain, he had a wondrous tale to tell. He told about venturing north and eventually stumbling upon a stunning city of gold. He described it as having grand streets, beautiful statues, and soaring buildings. But most historians believe the good Friar was lying. If he was, his plan backfired on him when he was appointed to guide the next expedition to the area, the Coronado Expedition.

The Coronado Expedition

De Niza joined the Coronado Expedition that was led by Vazques de Coronado. Like Cortez before him, Coronado was sure that he could amass great wealth from the lost cities of the Americas. His expedition found a Zuni village with multi-story adobe houses. There were wide streets through the village and small quantities of gold, but this was not the Cibola that de Niza had described. It could, however, have been the “rich city to the north” that was described by the natives of Mexico.

Coronado Attacks

Coronado was not convinced. He attacked and tortured the Zuni in an attempt to get them to reveal the hiding place of their great gold caches. It soon became obvious that there was no rich treasure trove and Coronado was forced to return empty handed.

A Mysterious Rumor

Amidst the fervor of his expedition in the 16th century, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was tantalized by a rumor that held the promise of a fabled city adorned with untold riches. The source of this captivating tale was a mysterious figure known only as "the Turk," a native inhabitant encountered by Coronado during his journey through the towns of New Spain. From this enigmatic informant, Coronado learned of the existence of a city called Quivira, said to be overflowing with gold, concealed on the far side of the Great Plains.

Coronado Chased The Rumor

Eager to uncover this treasure trove, Coronado and his expedition ventured forth with great anticipation. However, when they finally reached the location, believed to be in what is now modern-day Kansas, Nebraska, or Missouri, they were met with a stark reality. Instead of the opulent city they had envisioned, they encountered humble, straw-thatched villages, shattering the grand illusions conjured by "the Turk's" beguiling tale. This episode stands as a testament to the power of legend and the allure of the unknown, which propelled explorers like Coronado to venture into the wilderness, driven by the promise of unimaginable wealth.

Coronado Bankrupted Himself Looking For Cibola

Coronado's ambitious expedition, fueled by the allure of legendary treasures, ultimately exacted a heavy toll on him, both financially and in terms of his legacy. He had unwavering faith in the reports of Fray Marcos de Niza, so much so that he personally funded the entire venture. However, the expedition's outcomes did not match the extravagant expectations. Coronado's quest for the fabled cities of gold left him bankrupt and depleted of his considerable wealth. Despite being hailed as the first European to explore the southwestern region, the immediate impact of his expedition was largely negative.

There Was No Gold, But We Did Gain A Record Of The People Of The Southwest

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Coronado's legacy in the region was minimal, and the expedition's true significance lies in the invaluable reports provided by individuals like Garcia López de Cárdenas, one of Coronado's officers, which offered firsthand accounts of the lives of the native peoples they encountered and documented natural wonders like the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. In the end, Coronado's pursuit of riches came at great personal cost and left a far more profound mark on the historical record than on the wealth he had initially sought.

Don't Feel Too Bad For Coronado

Coronado's relentless pursuit of the elusive Cíbola, with its dreams of fame and fortune, was ultimately met with disappointment. Having endured grueling hardships and the stark reality of the straw-thatched villages in the American Southwest, Coronado's once grand aspirations lay in ruins. In the spring of 1542, he returned to Mexico City, his reputation tarnished and his quest publicly scorned and discredited. However, Coronado would not be defeated for long. He resumed his position as the governor of New Galicia and, along with his captains, faced scrutiny for their actions during the expedition. It would take four more years before Coronado managed to clear his family's name. Although he passed away in relative obscurity at the age of 42, Coronado couldn't have foreseen the profound impact of his courage.

The Lost City Of Gold Were The Friends Met Along The Way

Jan Mostaert / Jan Arkesteijn

Coronado's journey paved the way for the larger-than-life saga of the American West, influencing indigenous religions, introducing Spanish culture and knowledge, and setting the stage for later explorers and missionaries to colonize the Southwest, ultimately shaping the distinctive Hispanic-American culture we know today. In the end, while he may not have discovered the golden city he sought, Coronado's legacy would forever be entwined with the untamed and captivating landscapes of the American frontier.

Are There Lost Cities Still Waiting to be Discovered?

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Modern-day archaeologists are finding undiscovered ancient cities, temples, and structures that have been lost to the jungle overgrowth. New aerial scanning technology is allowing explorers to peel back the jungle canopy and see what is underneath. Could it be that one or more of these new discoveries will turn out to be Cibola?

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