# Nariño family

The Nariño family of Colombia was a prominent political family in the early history of Colombia. The Nariños have their origins in Galicia, Spain. The family grew wealthy in the 18th century. They were considered one of the most important families of the viceroyalty of New Granada.

## History

The first person of this lineage moved to New Granada in 1751 as a Spanish royal Accountant of the Matrix Arcs of New Granada. The family brought together a circle of enlightened liberals to discuss various topics, their house was a meeting place for liberals of the time. The family gave the greatest figure of the independence generation Antonio Nariño, precursor of Colombian independence and one of the founding fathers of Colombia. President Nariño's mother was the sister of the also president and attorney of the royal audience Manuel de Bernardo Álvarez del Casal, meaning they are closed related to the Álvarez family.
The members of this family grew up surrounded by books, this would explain why years later Antonio opened his own print shop " La Patriótica" and acquired an license from the government that allowed him to print. This enterprise failed after Nariño was persecuted for his inflammatory Derechos del hombre in 1793. He translated the French Declaration of the Rights of Man from its original into Spanish and printed several copies. He then circulated these pamphlets among friends, families and like-minded people. Copies of the pamphlet created a stirring in the political mentalities of the time. The government soon discovered the material, and any copy that was found was burned. Nariño was arrested on August 29, 1794.
Antonio's family was persecuted by the Peacemaker Pablo Morillo and the royalist reaction against the patriots. It can be said that they participated in the heroic life of Antonio and of many heroes of Independence and each of them contributed their share to the cause and independence efforts.
Especially highlight the figure of Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Nariño Ortega, who participated in all the battles and heroic actions including the Southern Campaign that would lead the Precursor to exile and imprisonment in Cadiz (Spain) for several years, thus running the risk of being arrested. and had the same luck as his father. Thus, he sacrificed his freedom and part of his life to the cause of Independence and occupies a prominent place in the Gallery of Heroes next to the Precursor Antonio Nariño.
Later, the Oidor Figueroa raided the family's house in front of the Plaza de las Hierbas, and confiscated their library owned in a house in front of the same square, today the current headquarters of the Jockey Club one of the most traditional and prestigious social institutions in the country, an exclusive club of the Colombian elite.
Vicente Nariño Ortega, to whom Colombia owes the National Library together with its founder Manuel del Socorro Rodriguez, also enriched the nariñista lineage that his father bequeathed to him. In this way, he continued the Library of Nariño confiscated by the judge Mosquera y Figueroa in the house of the Mercado de las Yerbas and as an intellectual and bibliographer he took the first steps for the national library institution that culminated in the Luis angel arango library.

## Toponymy

* La Milagrosa Museum built in 1767 devoted to the memory of Antonio Nariño.
* Nariño species of bird.
* Casa de Nariño Official residence and office of the President of Colombia.
* Nariño Department, Colombia.
* Nariño Antioquia, Colombia.
* Nariño Municipality, Nariño Department, Colombia/
* Nariño Municipality, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
* Antonio Nariño University
* Nariño