The word Veracruz literally means the "True Cross" or "Holy Cross". It comes from the Christian tradition, and was the name given to the territory founded by the conqueror Hernán Cortés on April 22, 1519. That day was Good Friday, also called “Vera Cruz day”, so Cortés named this territory Villa Rica of the Vera Cruz.
Originally, Veracruz was built on a low, barren, hot sand beach that was located about 15 meters above sea level along the Gulf of Mexico.
Due to its low height it was constantly threatened by possible floods. In addition, it lacked fresh water and had other unsanitary conditions. For this reason, it was relocated twice. Its current location dates from the year 1599, being designated as a city in 1615.
Christian origin of the word Veracruz
The Vera Cruz or "true cross" is considered the holiest of Christian relics. The story goes that it was discovered by Empress Flavia Julia Helena Augusta who was the wife of Emperor Constantius I and mother of Constantine the Great.
The discovery of what is supposed to be the cross where Jesus was crucified was made in the 4th century AD.
The Empress, now Saint Helena, is venerated by Catholics and Christians. She converted to Christianity around AD 312, and discovered the True Cross when she left for the Holy Land.
It was sent there by his son Constantine, who had heard from a Jerusalem bishop that the material remains of the crucifixion were buried somewhere in the city.
Playa Villa del Mar, is a famous and traditional beach in the city of Veracruz. In the background and to the right is the aquarium.
By then, the city had been razed and rebuilt twice. However, the search began near Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified.
On September 14, in an excavation that was being supervised by Elena, three crosses and three nails were found.
These were hidden in an old cistern and are supposed to correspond to Christ and the two thieves who accompanied him.
This event is known as the invention of the Cross. This phrase refers to the finding (from the Latin inventio) of these remains.
Hernán Cortés and the word Veracruz
Portrait of Hernán Cortés, conqueror of the Mexican Empire
Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
Cortés and his expedition members had reached San Juan de Ullua on April 21, 1519. He had come from a long journey from Cuba through the Yucatán and Tabasco.
This expedition was supposed to be the third and last. In a short time, they received the visit of numerous indigenous people in their boats, who brought with them very valuable presents from Moctezuma. These riches tempted the crew and Cortés himself.
The landing on the sandbanks of Veracruz took place on Good Friday, April 22, 1519.
The peninsular realized that he had great possibilities of conquering the place when he saw the division between the indigenous peoples and the evident animosity between oppressors and oppressed.
Similarly, he realized that he might lose command of the expedition. Therefore, he decided to found the Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. Over time, the word Veracruz was coined.
References
- Veracruz (2017, May 07). Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Recovered from britannica.com.
- Gory, G. and Rosikon, J. (2014). Witnesses of the Mystery: Investigations on the relics of Christ Madrid: Ediciones Rialp.
- Parrinder, G. (2008). Brief Encyclopedia of Christianity. Madrid: Itsmo Editions.
- The conquest of Mexico. On the trail of Hernán Cortés (2014, December 17). The Economist. Recovered from economist.com.
- Flores Rangel, JJ (2010). History of Mexico I. Cengage Learning Editores
- Matute Vidal, J. (2002). The Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz Foundation from a legal point of view. Mexico: UNAM.