Declared a Historic Site in 1983, Macharaviaya stands as an example of 18th-century urban planning. Its development is closely linked to the Gálvez’s, the most influential family. They held important political positions during Charles III’s reign.

Don José Gálvez y Gallardo (1720-1791), Marquis of Sonora and Minister of the Indies, was born into a noble family and used all his family’s influence to reach King Charles III. Once the king had commissioned him in 1763, he gave him the authority to go about implementing the necessary reforms in North America, where he founded a city called Galveston in the state of Texas.

This is how the special relationship between Macharaviaya and North America began. The five brothers never forgot their roots and their influence in the municipality was such that it led to it being called “little Madrid” around the 18th century. Their impact on the village was notorious and can still be observed in the church that they had built, as well as in the agricultural industry boost and the Fábrica de Naipes establishement.

Thanks to Miguel Gálvez, the ambassador in the Court at San Petersburg, Catalina “La Grande” tasted the wine from the area and conceded to the lifting of the taxes on its importation, opening the way for its large-scale distribution.