History

The History of Isla Mujeres

The legend of Mundaca the Pirate

Fermín Antonio Mundaca y Marecheaga was born in october of 1825 in the vigalle Bermeo of Santa Maria, Spain. After completing his studies he set out for the New World to make his fortune. He arrived on the shores of Isla in 1858 after acquiring his wealth selling captured Mayan slaves to Cuban plantations and some say pirating. Wether or not this is true, no one knows but Mundaca cultivated and enjoyed his reputation as a pirate.

Mundaca immediately set out building a large hacienda he named "Vista Alegre" (Happy View), which eventually covered over 40% of the island. There were areas for livestock, birds, vegetables gardens, fruit orchards and exotic plants that were brought from all over the world. A special garden called "The Rose of the Winds" was constructed which served as a sundial selling the time of the day by its shadows.

In 1862 Martiniana (Prisca) Gomez Pantoja was born. She was one of five sisters and it is been said that she was a willowy woman with green eyes, white skin bronzed by the Caribbean sun and long, straight hair. Called "La Trigeña" (The Brunette), many men fell in love with her including Mundaca.

The arches above the gates were dedicated to her, naming them "The Entrance of the Trigena" and "The Pass of the Trigena" in hopes his wealth and power would win the local beauty 37 years younger than himself. His dedication was in vain, she married a man closer to her own age and as legend tells it, Fermín Mundaca slowly went insane and died, alone in Merida.

His empty tomb still awaits him in the Isla Mujeres cementery. Carved by his own hands are the skull and cross bones, in memory of his pirating days and the words meant for his love: "As you are, I was. As I am you will be".