Your cart

Your cart is empty

Juan Eloy Valenzuela y Mantilla

JUAN ELOY VALENZUELA Y MANTILLA

Born in Girón (Santander) in 1756, he was a distinguished ecclesiastic and scientist, deeply rooted in nature's spiritual teachings of wisdom and beauty from a tender age. A true testament to this connection was the botanical haven he nurtured beside his home, a lifelong devotion to cultivating a genuine botanical garden.

His profound exploration of fauna and flora earned him a pivotal role as an active member and deputy director of the Royal Botanical Expedition of the New Kingdom of Granada in 1783, collaborating closely with the esteemed director José Celestino Mutis.

Side by side with Mutis, Eloy Valenzuela engaged in numerous investigations at the Expedition laboratory in Mariquita, Cundinamarca, leading to significant botanical discoveries.

Balancing his roles, he served as a devout parish priest in Bucaramanga, ardently spreading the faith among his parishioners while maintaining his commitment to naturalism.

His intellectual pursuits made a lasting impact on the field of natural sciences. Through publications on the medicinal properties of plants and innovative agricultural methods, he contributed substantially to the advancement of knowledge.

Fondly known as the "Curita de Girón," Eloy Valenzuela passed away in Bucaramanga in 1834, leaving behind a rich legacy of spiritual and scientific contributions.

Previous post
Next post