Pre-history

According to archaeologists, remains of the Macaji, Puruha and Cosango-Pillaro cultures have been discovered here, which date back to 200, 500 and 700 A .D respectively. Immigrants then arrived from the Orient. ‘Hambato’ was apparently an indigenous state belonging to the Huapantis, Pillaros, Quisanpichas, Izambas and Hambatos. These indigenous conserved traditions of their elders who had come from the oriental (eastern) region.

Conquest and Colonisation

After the foundation of Quito, the Spanish conquerors entered these territories under the command of Benalcazar, defeating the indigenous led by the brave Ruminahui. After the Spanish conquered, they began to divide up land and properties; the indigenous were apparently subjected to abuse and exploitation. Banos was founded in 1553 by the Dominicans, which was used as the base from which to evangelize the Amazon villages. In 1570 Don Antonio Clavijo legally founded San Juan de Ambato. Five years later he founded Pillaro, Pelileo, Paute and Quero.

The First Printing Press

The first printing press was established in the town of Ambato. It was brought by the Jesuits and operated by German typographer Johanes Schartz. In 1670 the printing press was transferred to the San Luis seminary in Quito. The first newspaper was published in 1835 and ever since then, Ambato has had a reputation as the ‘centre’ of the written word either in the form of newspapers or books.

Independence and The Republic

The independence battles started on 12 th November 1820 with the announcement of the independent movement commanded by Cipriano Delgado, until the Battle of Pichincha sealed the country’s independence. In 1831 Ambato was annexed to the province of Pichincha, and in 1851, on establishing the province of Cotopaxi, Ambato became one of its cantons. In 1860 it obtained provincial status. As stated in the 1860 decree: “the cantons of Ambato, Pillaro and Pelileo, form a province under the name of ‘province of Ambato’”. During the Republic, the National Convention met in Ambato appointing Vicente Rocafuerte as President of the Republic in 1835. Ambato is known as the ‘city of the three Juans’ due to the political efforts of Don Juan Montalvo, liberal Juan Benigno Vela and writer-poet Don Juan Leon Mera.

Earthquakes

Ambato was destroyed by an earthquake in 1698, the remaining ruins of the town were used to rebuild it in its present-day location. Ambato and the province of Tungurahua have suffered a series of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, which occur even today (Tungurahua erupted with ferocity in July and August 2006). The most notable was the volcanic eruptions of 1797 which coincided with earthquakes, effectively destroying many towns and villages. In 1949 an earthquake which occurred in Ambato destroyed the population of Pelileo causing thousands of deaths, destruction of homes and buildings.

MINIBIOGRAPHIES OF THE 'THREE JUANS'
Juan Montalvo

Born in Ambato on 13 th April 1832, Montalvo was a figurehead in the romantic revolution initiated by Victor Hugo in France. With a passion for academia, Montalvo studied the classics, learnt Latin, Greek, French, Italian and English. At 26 he dicided to travel to Europe and his Paris he found his path, immersing himself in the Parisian academic scene. In 1860 he returned to Ecuador campaigning against the despot Garcia Moreno and demanding a liberal regime. There he wrote his literary work ‘El Cosmopolita’. He went into exile to the Colombian town of Ipiales, from where he once again travelled to Europe: Italy, Spain and France. After the death of Garcia Moreno, he returned to his hometown of Ambato and fought against Jose Ignacio Veintemilla. Once again he returned to Europe. In 1883 in Spain he was appointed to the board of the Real Academia de la Lengua. He returned to Paris to embark on a series of literary works until his death on 17 th January 1889, three months before his 57 th birthday. All of Montalvo’s books have gained the attention of critics.

Juan Leon Mera

Poet, critic, novelist, Mera is one of the country’s great literary figures. He, like Montalvo, always expressed an interest for academia. His first poems and articles were published in magazines and newspapers until he decided to publish his own volume of poems at the age of 26. After he published ‘The Sun Virgin’ which attracted the attention of foreign critics. Cumanda is one of his most famous novels.

 

In 1865 he was hired to write the Ecuadorian national anthem which he presented to the legislative council and was approved without any changes. During this time the Hispano-American nations were outraged by attempts of Spanish re-conquest from across the Pacific. Since this date the anthem was frequently sung. Mera was also a staunch conservative and political writer. He strongly defended conservative thinking and occupied high political positions. For the majority of his life he lived in Atocha. He died on 13 th December 1894 at 61 years of age.

Juan Benigno Vela

One of the most notable liberal politicians. He created the first renewed laws, eventually giving way to liberal victory in 1895. He was an admirer of Montalvo, also his confidant and secretary. He was born in Ambato on the 9 th July 1843 and died in the same town in 1920.

 

Vela was an exceptional journalist and a great orator. He showed his political courage and strong will when he rose up against the government of Garcia Moreno, which cost him a spell of seven months in prison. He lost his sight in 1870. He contributed greatly to liberal victory in the sierra. After the triumph of Gatazo, Vela received permission from General Alfaro to organize the new government. In 1906 he actively participated in the elaboration of new laws, marriage and civil laws among the most significant. He wrote for newspapers El Combate, La Idea , El Argos and El Pelayo.

Last Updated 18th August 2006 (DLW)

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