The Vergara family is one of the most aristocratic families of Colombia and Chile with origins in Bergara, Spain. Had its period of greatest influence between the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The family is spread across several branches in Spain, Colombia, Chile and the US. Considered one of the first families of Spaniards in the Americas having arrived first as conquistadors, and royal officers of the Spanish crown. The Vergara Family have produced four presidents of Colombia by the same surname; and three more related by blood. Other branch is considered amongst the founding families of Chile. Originally from Gipuzkoa, Spain, more specifically from Bergara, the Municipality in Basque Country.
Quinta Vergara
Coat of arms of Manuel Ventura Vergara
Image: Vergara Azcarate Family
Image: Luis Ayala Rosario U (1)
Luis de Ayala y Vergara was a criollo lawyer, politician from the capital of the Viceroyalty of the New Granada. During the South American independence he exercised the executive power as State Councilor of the Free and Independent State of Cundinamarca in 1812, due to the absence of President Antonio Nariño. Ayala y Vergara is considered one of the first heads of state of the young Colombia.
Presidential portrait of Ayala in the cloister of the Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá.
