A photo from open sources
The crusher of the Aztec empire Cortes was cursed during his lifetime repeatedly. However, he died in glory and wealth. Curse overtook him after death.
Curse
The Spaniards set fire to firewood and stepped aside. Hernan Cortes in accompanied by his retinue, he silently watched the flames flare up under under the feet of the High Priest of the Aztec god, Huitzilopochtli – the god of war and the sun. The priest looked at Cortes without opening his lips. He was silent when Spanish soldiers grabbed him roughly. He was silent when he was tortured. He was silent when the beautiful Tenochtitlan burned in the Aztec capital.
When the fire engulfed the priest’s body, they flew out of the fire the words. Cortes did not know the Aztec language, but the cry was clearly not a plea for have mercy. “What is he screaming?” Cortes turned to Malinche – his concubine and translator. Conqueror’s girlfriend respectfully bowed head: “He curses you, my lord. You will have no peace not only during life, but also after death. ”
Cortes really did not know peace in life. But its this not at all burdensome. Until the last days of his life, he parted with a sword, despising a peaceful life. December 2, 1547 62-year-old adventurer and adventurer passed away in Castilleja de la Cuesta (province of Seville, Spain). And started foretold by the High Priest the long epic of bones and dust conqueror of mexico.
Restless descendants and admirers
On December 4, 1547, the conquistador was solemnly buried in Seville in clan crypt of the Spanish dukes of Medina Sedonia in a monastery San Isidoro, although Cortes repeatedly expressed his the desire to be buried in Mexico, which he considered his home. Three years later, the remains were disturbed for the first time and moved to Aisle of Santa Catarina of the same monastery.
In 1566, the descendants decided to respect the will of the deceased, took out the bones and drove them to the New World. The monastery became the burial place San Francisco in Texcoco. In 1629, the rulers of Mexico (still owned by Spain) decided that the ashes of a national hero should be in the capital. The coffin was opened and solemnly taken to Mexico City For 9 days, the coffin stood in the governor’s palace and the descendants Spanish nobles who once conquered this country with Cortes, They went to bow to the ashes of the Great Conquistador. Paying tribute deceased, his remains were placed in the center of Mexico City, in the chapel of the church San Francisco Monastery, in a special niche.
In 1716, conqueror worshipers thought that a niche wasn’t a worthy place for their idol, the coffin was taken out and transferred to the altar part of the church, equating the killer of thousands of Indians to saints. But this was not enough for fans. In 1794, founded by Cortes the hospital of Jesus of Nazareth was built a special mausoleum. FROM with great pomp, the bones of Cortes were carried there. “Yes, leave me alone alone! “, – the remains of the deceased seemed to scream. And from the other world the spirit of the High Priest grimaced.
Revolutionary tomb rippers
In the XIX century, Mexico became an independent state. In 1821 – empire, and in 1823 – a republic. Descendants of the great Aztec people did not have any reverence for the conqueror, once destroying their state. MPs and revolutionary minded youth planned to arrange a national holiday in during which it was supposed to destroy the crypt of the legendary conquistador, and his remains burned in Piazza San Lazaro, dispelling dust in the wind. If the intention were fulfilled, the spirit of Cortes I would finally find peace. But the curse still kept its force.
A photo from open sources
Minister of Home and Foreign Affairs of New Mexico Lucas Alaman with the help of the chaplain of Dr. Joaquin Canales Hospital at the last moment they stole an iron box with the remains from the mausoleum and on the night of September 15, they buried it under the floor of the main altar. IN In 1836 the box was hidden, walled up in the hospital wall. For the reassurance of Mexican patriots was rumored that the box with the remains were sent to Italy to one of the descendants of Cortes.
The last reburial
If Lucas Alaman had taken the secret with him to the grave, wanderings Cortes would have ended there. But the spirit of the High Priest was indignant (what else!) and thought Alaman draw up and send to Spain secret memorandum in which to indicate the place where are the remains of the conqueror of Mexico.
In 1946, two Spanish scientists from the University of Mexico (undoubtedly, from the prompts of the burned Aztec) found this document in archives and offered to verify its authenticity by opening prospective burial place. On November 24, 1946, a niche was opened, they found a box to the joy of scientists and, in accordance with the curse, were taken him to the National Institute of Anthropology, where scientists for almost a year disturbed and examined the bones.
Since July 9, 1947, the remains of the conquistador are walled up in the wall Niche Hospital of Jesus of Nazareth in Mexico City. Mounted on the wall brass plate with the name of Cortez, his coat of arms and date of life. However, the fact that this (already eighth) reburial became last, personally, I have no confidence.
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