Charles V’s last «advice» to Philip II

Philip II asked for his father’s coffin to be opened before he died in order to see it

Today we want to tell you about a curiosity that has to do with Philip II and something he requested before he died. It has to do with the corpse of his father, Emperor Charles V.

The story of Joan, daughter of Emperor Charles V

The youngest daughter of Emperor Charles V ended her days as a secret member of the Jesuit order

The short life of Joan of Austria is like something out of a film. Married young for her father’s political interests, she had to abandon her newborn son in Portugal and endure her father’s reproaches from Yuste. She died at the age of just thirty-eight, regretting having abandoned her son Sebastian, almost a newborn.

Curiosities of the Ommegang

The re-enactment commemorates the entry of Emperor Charles V into Brussels accompanied by his son, the future Philip II

Every year, except during the pandemic, at the end of June, one of the great historical re-enactments of our network of routes takes place: the Ommegang.

The day that Charles V speared a bull

A painting by Goya shows the Emperor spearing a bull during the festivities for the christening of his son Philip

Francisco de Goya dedicated his print Tauromaquia 10, Charles V lancing a bull in the Plaza de Valladolid to the Emperor. It shows the emperor killing a bull as part of the festivities for the christening of his son Philip.

Characters of our routes: Juan de Escobedo

The protagonist of one of the most mysterious and famous murders in our history, he was born in Colindres, a Cantabrian town that is a member of this network of routes

Juan de Escobedo is one of those protagonists whose murder, which took place in 1578, remains shrouded in a halo of mystery that implicates the king himself and son of Emperor Charles V, Philip II.

Characters of our routes: Dionisio Daza Chacón

He is considered one of the great surgeons of the Renaissance

If there is a renowned figure in the field of medicine in Spain in the 16th century, it was Dionisio Daza Chacón. The best surgeon in this country during the Renaissance, it is believed that he was the one who helped Miguel de Cervantes after the Battle of Lepanto.

Characters of our Network of Routes: Cristóbal de Mondragón

Called the Colonel, despite what his surname suggests, he was not Basque -although he was of Basque origin- but was born in Medina del Campo

Born in Medina del Campo, he was known for his bravery and kindness. In total, he dedicated more than sixty years of his life to the armies of Emperor Charles V, first, and then of His Majesty King Philip II. His name: Cristóbal de Mondragón. A character from our network of routes.

Learn more about the Old Tercio de Cartagena

This is an association that recreates historical events that took place during the reigns of the Great Habsburgs

The Old Tercio de Cartagena Association aims to highlight the history of a city like Cartagena, now three thousand years old. It is also linked to great events that took place during the lives of Emperor Charles V and his son, Philip II.

How Philip II was born

It started at midnight on 21st May and lasted 16 hours

The birth of Philip II, son of Emperor Charles V and his herdsman, was long and painful, but it was also a test of the strength and fortitude of the Empress, Elisabeth, who was barely heard screaming during the trance.

The miraculous water of San Isidro

The Saint’s Hermitage was built by order of the Empress Elizabeth after the waters of the Saint saved the lives of her son and her husband

The water that flows from its source is believed to have saved the lives of countless people. Two of them are those of Emperor Charles V and his son Philip II, who drank its waters at the express wish of Empress Elisabeth.