Maximilian’s Journeys through Spain and Brazil: The Long Way to the Mexican Empire

In May of 1864, Maximilian of Austria reached the Mexican coast, being this journey his last, ending three years later with his execution. Much has been written about the reasons that prompted his acceptance of the crown of Mexico, a country so distant in every sense of his cultural environment. However, years ago Maximilian had traveled to Spain and Brazil (to Spain twice) and these experiences, although not determinant, greatly influenced the decision of the Archduke, who saw the chance to realize a dream he had conceived on his trip to Spain and that was consolidated during his stay in Brazil, as we can extract from his travel memoirs.

En mayo de 1864 Maximiliano de Austria llega a la costa mexicana en el que será su último viaje, que culminará con su ejecución tres años después. Mucho se ha escrito sobre las razones que le impulsaron a aceptar la corona de México, un país tan alejado en todos los sentidos de su entorno cultural, sin embargo, años antes Maximiliano había viajado a España y a Brasil (a España en dos ocasiones) y estas experiencias, si no determinantes, influyeron en gran medida en la decisión del Archiduque, que vio la oportunidad de hacer realidad un sueño que se gestó en su viaje a España y se afianzó durante su estancia en Brasil, como se puede extraer de sus memorias de viaje.