The life of Isabella the Catholic, our personality of this post is extraordinary. The princess Isabel was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres on 22nd April,1451. She was the daughter of Juan II of Castilla and his second wife Isabel of Portugal.

Isabel I of Castilla was a woman  in a world of men. Through her own will  she became queen. She lived in a time of change between the darkness of the Middle Ages and the enlightenment of the Renaissance. An intelligent self-made woman who changed history with her decisions. She founded modern  Spain with the taking of Granada in 1492. It was a long and difficult path which ended in her death in 1504.

Isabel wasn’t considered to be the official inheritor of the crown, first in line were her younger siblings Alonso and Juana known as La Beltraneja (daughter of Enrique IV, an influential man of the court). Nevertheless, Isabel managed to sign an agreement with her stepsister: The Treaty of the Bulls of Guisando; “Toros de Guisando” in which Enrique declared Isabel the heiress, reserving the right to decide her marriage.

Isabel broke this agreement by marrying her first cousin Fernando II of Aragon in secret in Valladolid. However when Enrique died in 1474 Isabel was crowned Queen of Castilla the following day.

Isabella’s Legacy

During her joint reign with Fernando they made choices of great importance for the future kingdom:

  • Establishing the Holy Inquisition
  • Creating the Holy Brotherhood
  • Incorporated the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada into their kingdom as well as the religious unification of the Hispanic crown
  • Forcing the Jews and later the  Moors to convert to Christianity

Isabel was a sensitive woman, mother to five children: Isabel, Juan, Juana, María and Catalina. She seemingly accepted their criteria but really knew how to wait without changing her purpose at all.

She was blessed with unending curiosity and open to all eventualities. For example she learnt Latin, collected books and Flamish paintings.

Some of these objects are in the Royal Chapel in Granada where her remains lie. Without a doubt her most incredible legacy was her support of Christopher Columbus in his voyages.

Isabella the Catholic

She was a profoundly religious woman. The Queen wasn’t a saint but Isabel was woman with multiple facet.  She change the course of history  with her decisions.

Come with me in a guided tour and discover her life.