Was Hernán Cortés a hero, a villain or something far more complex? On Wednesday 2 December, L’Iber, the Museum of Tin Soldiers, hosts the Hernán Cortés lecture Hernán Cortés and Modern Mexico: from the Conquest to the Present, given by Dr Armando de Lucas Hurtado-Acera.
In short: on Wednesday 2 December 2026 at 7:30 pm, Dr Armando de Lucas Hurtado-Acera talks about Hernán Cortés, the conquest of Mexico and its legacy today. The lecture takes place in the Tapestry Room of the Museo L’Iber, and admission is free until full capacity.
Hernán Cortés, between the Black Legend and the epic
Over the centuries, the history of the Conquest of the Americas has been a tapestry of stories, legends and conflicting judgements. Between the shadow of the Black Legend and the heroic voices, complex characters take shape. Through their deeds and visions, they laid the foundations of Spanish America.
In this vast web, the conquistadors stand out as emblematic figures whose exploits shaped the destiny of a continent. That is why, as we delve into their story, it is worth placing several of them under the lens of our curiosity. After all, their actions and decisions left an indelible mark on the account of the conquest.
The leading figures of the conquest of Mexico
Hernán Cortés, strategist and politician
The conqueror of the Aztec Empire was not only a master of military strategy. He was also a shrewd builder of alliances with the peoples who resented Moctezuma’s rule, such as the Tlaxcalans.
Pedro de Alvarado, the most feared captain
Alongside him, the bold Pedro de Alvarado completes this saga of martial skill and controversial decisions. His ferocity in battle made him a key figure in the conquest of Guatemala.
La Malinche and Martín Cortés, where two worlds meet
Nor can we overlook La Malinche (Doña Marina) and Martín Cortés, the son she had with the conqueror. Their relationship shows how two worlds and traditions met. It was a personal bond in the middle of an ocean of tension between invaders and native peoples.
From the Conquest to modern Mexico
Five centuries after the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, Cortés still stirs passions on both sides of the Atlantic. So the lecture offers a journey from the events of the conquest to the memory of that encounter in Mexico today. In short, it is a chance to look at history without clichés, with rigour and with open questions. What is more, the date has a special twist: Cortés died on 2 December 1547.
Are you passionate about the history of Spanish America? Then save the evening of Wednesday 2 December and come and discover it with us.
Lecture details
- Lecture: Hernán Cortés and Modern Mexico: from the Conquest to the Present (in Spanish)
- Speaker: Dr Armando de Lucas Hurtado-Acera
- Date: Wednesday 2 December 2026
- Time: 7:30 pm
- Venue: Tapestry Room of L’Iber, Museum of Tin Soldiers (Calle de Caballeros, 20-22, Valencia)
- Admission: free until full capacity
- In collaboration with: Fundación Libertas 7, International Association of Universities of the Third Age and the University of the Third Age of Alto Palancia (Castellón)
Frequently asked questions
When is the Hernán Cortés lecture?
On Wednesday 2 December 2026 at 7:30 pm, in the Tapestry Room of the Museo L’Iber (Calle de Caballeros, 20-22, Valencia).
Who gives the lecture?
Dr Armando de Lucas Hurtado-Acera, in collaboration with Fundación Libertas 7 and the University of the Third Age of Alto Palancia.
Do I have to pay to attend?
No. Admission is free until the room reaches full capacity.
Finally, discover more events on the Museo L’Iber lectures page.
