Disaster of Curalaba

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The Disaster of Curalaba is the name given to a battle (or surprise attack) between Spanish conquerors led by Martín García Óñez de Loyola and Mapuche people led by Pelantaru on a place called Curalaba (which means broken stone in Mapudungun), in southern Chile. This event led to the end of the "Conquista" period in Chile's history.

On December 21, 1598, the governor, Martín García Oñez de Loyola, started to travel to Purén leading only 50 men. On the second day they camped in Curalaba, without taking measures of protection. The Mapuche people were aware of their presence, and, led by Pelantaru, they attacked in a surprise night raid. In complete shock, the governor and their few soldiers with him perished while trying to defend themselves.

This event was called the Disaster of Curalaba by the Spaniards. It involved not only the death of the Spanish governor, but also resulted in a general revolt that destroyed Spanish camps and towns south of the Bío-Bío River.


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