Cronovisor | Amaro Pargo, el corsario canario

SER Historia | March 31, 2024

Overview

In this engaging episode of SER Historia, host Nacho Ares and the program’s “chrononaut” Jesús Callejo delve into the life and legend of Amaro Pargo, the famed Canarian corsair of the 18th century. Broadcasting from La Laguna, Tenerife—Pargo’s birthplace and final resting place—the episode explores the blurred boundaries between history and legend and examines Pargo’s duality as both a feared corsair and a local philanthropist whose enigmatic legacy persists to this day.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amaro Pargo: More Than a Pirate (00:37–04:45)

• Setting the Scene: The hosts mark the milestone 800th episode before diving into the canary islander’s story, noting Pargo’s outsized local fame vs. national obscurity.
• Pargo’s Dual Identity:
  • Jesús Callejo highlights that Amaro Pargo was much more than a corsair:

    “...era ese clásico navegante filántropo que hizo una gran fortuna y... la dedicó para el beneficio también de San Cristóbal de La Laguna y en general de Tenerife.” (01:26)

  • He came from humble agricultural origins and worked his way up as a skilled seaman and eventual ship captain.
• Historical Context:
  • Pargo’s life spanned a formative era for global commerce (late 17th–mid 18th centuries), “cuando las rutas comerciales empiezan a extenderse y empiezan a hacer esa globalización.” (03:01)
  • He notably held a “patente de corso” (letter of marque), legally sanctioning his activities in defense of Spanish interests—distinguishing him from pirates.

2. A Glimpse into the Crypt: Exhumation and Legend (04:45–11:03)

• Chronovisor Destination:
  • Callejo selects November 15, 2013, referencing the date when Amaro Pargo’s tomb was exhumed with the surprising involvement of Ubisoft for their video game “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag.” (05:34)
• The Exhumation Scene:
  • Sudden discovery of multiple family members (at least nine), including his “fiel esclavo negro” Cristóbal Lynch, who was likely considered more than a servant—a close confidant in life and death.
  • Physical details:

    “Se sabe además por los datos biométricos que medía 1,80 metros...” (referring to Lynch) (08:07) “una estatura no demasiado alta... unos 66 metros” (referring to Pargo—likely 1.66 m). (08:07)

  • Notably, Pargo’s tomb features a skull with a wink—a curious symbol perhaps nodding to his adventurous spirit.

    “...una calavera con las dos tibias, pero la calavera con un elemento muy singular... está guiñando un ojo.” (06:48)

• The Treasure Mystique:
  • Persistent rumors of hidden treasure have led to persistent searches in his ruined home in Machado:

    “...en su casa de Machado, que está en ruinas, ahora todos son hoyos, como si hubiera pasado por allí una termita. Como termitas, pero a lo bestia.” (10:09)

3. The Reality Beyond the Myth (11:03–15:05)

• Romanticizing Corsairs vs. Reality:
  • The hosts draw parallels between Pargo and the likes of English hero/privateer Francis Drake, debating the line between hero and villain:

    “...todas las historias de piratas y de corsarios... en muchas ocasiones se alejan de la realidad, porque no dejan de ser asaltantes, aunque tengas patente de corso para poder hacerlo.” (11:03)

• His Public Image:
  • Pargo is depicted as elegant and orderly, quite the opposite of a stereotypically unkempt pirate, as symbolized by a Playmobil figure brought to the recording. (12:20)

    “esa pose alejada de la idea del pirata más desaliñado, más desaseado, nada que ver con la figura de estos corsarios.” (12:20)

• Personal Life and Philanthropy:
  • Pargo remained officially unmarried but reportedly fathered illegitimate children and was involved in numerous acts of charity:

    “no estuvo casado, no tuvo hijos oficiales, pero luego fueron apareciendo hijos apócrifos en distintas zonas.” (14:46)

  • He donated essential goods (like cereal during a famine) and church objects (noted by locals as still in use). (15:05)

    “Siempre intentó ayudar de esta manera a lo que pensaba que le habían ayudado previamente.” (15:42)

4. The Sacred and the Mystical: Faith and Miracles (12:20–19:04)

• Religiosity and Ties to “La Siervita”:
  • Pargo’s deep Catholic faith and closeness to Sor María de Jesús (La Siervita)—a local would-be saint—blurred boundaries between the spiritual and the profane.
• Anecdotes of Miracles and Beatification:
  • Several miracles are attributed to La Siervita, some involving Pargo’s deliverance from danger. The symbiosis is symbolized by Pargo’s financing of her tomb (with a triple-key sarcophagus; he had one key).

    “...la relación que hubo, luego si quieres comentamos algún aspecto, porque dentro de los milagros que se atribuyen a la Siervita..., tiene muchos que ver algunos con Amaro Pargo salvándole la vida precisamente una vez en Cuba...” (12:20)

• Folklore, Myth, and Local Identity:
  • Legends abound, including stories of seas calmed by the throwing of a relic’s arm into a storm and poetic acrostics encoding “Pargo” hidden in verses on tombs. (24:21)

5. The Enduring Legacy (19:04–end)

• Local vs. National Memory:
  • The episode underscores how Amaro Pargo is quintessentially a local hero whose legend struggles for broader national recognition.

    “...su aureola mítica, por otra parte legendaria, ...falta hacer una película, que yo creo que es la forma de elevarle ya la categoría de héroe nacional...” (16:44)

• A Model for Series or Film:
  • His life story, with philanthropy, adventure, faith, and mystery, would easily suit film or TV adaptation, echoing Callejo:

    “[Pargo]...merecería no sólo una película, sino una serie televisiva, porque tiene elementos suficientes para hacerlo.” (20:24)

• Connection to Modern Culture:
  • Mention of the video game “El tesoro de Amaro Pargo” and ongoing fascination with his life and supposed treasure continues to keep his memory alive.

    “...el Ayuntamiento de La Laguna ha hecho un videojuego que es El tesoro de Amaro Pargo, así que no lo olvidemos...” (27:17)

• Closing Thoughts:
  • Pargo’s unique blend of legality, philanthropy, and myth makes him an almost archetypal figure in Canarian (and Spanish) folklore—one whose “fama sigue allende de los mares y por supuesto, allende de los tiempos.” (27:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On his status beyond a corsair:

  “Era ese clásico navegante filántropo que hizo una gran fortuna y... la dedicó para el beneficio también de San Cristóbal de La Laguna y en general de Tenerife.”
  — Jesús Callejo (01:26)

• On distinguishing pirates from corsairs:

  “No se puede considerar un pirata... De hecho, él siempre intentaba como primera norma comercializar, si no al final abordar el barco, porque en el fondo tenía un poco sus privilegios.”
  — Jesús Callejo (03:27)

• On the tomb’s iconic symbol:

  “Una calavera... pero la calavera con un elemento muy singular... está guiñando un ojo. Entonces es como una especie de guiño.”
  — Jesús Callejo (06:48)

• Reflecting on his legacy and legend:

  “El hecho de que esa lápida... tenga esa calavera con ese guiño... Todo este tipo de elementos son los que le han creado una aureola mítica, por otra parte legendaria, pero sin embargo un personaje que existió.”
  — Jesús Callejo (16:44)

• On modern appreciation:

  “El Ayuntamiento de La Laguna ha hecho un videojuego que es El tesoro de Amaro Pargo... su estela y su fama sigue allende de los mares y por supuesto, allende de los tiempos.”
  — Jesús Callejo (27:17)

Important Timestamps

• 00:37–04:45: Introduction, Pargo’s background, historical context
• 05:34–08:07: The 2013 exhumation, association with Ubisoft, findings in the crypt
• 10:09: Persistent treasure-hunting in Pargo’s ruined house
• 12:20: Pargo’s appearance, personal life, and charitable acts
• 14:46–15:42: Unofficial children, ongoing legacy in La Laguna churches
• 16:44–19:04: Relationship with La Siervita and stories of miracles/interventions
• 20:24: Pargo’s suitability for modern storytelling (film/TV), enduring charisma
• 24:21–27:17: Pargo in popular and religious legend, closing reflections

Conclusion

This episode of SER Historia offers a richly detailed yet lively exploration of Amaro Pargo—a figure awash in both historical fact and romanticized legend. The hosts illuminate Pargo’s fascinating life as a legal corsair, philanthropist, faithful Catholic, and local hero, all while critically examining how myth and reality intertwine in the telling of his story. Whether you’re captivated by tales of treasure, saints, or maritime daring, the legend of Amaro Pargo emerges as a pillar of Canarian identity—and a story ripe for even greater discovery.