Martín Ignacio de Loyola

Martín Ignacio Martínez de Mallea, known as Martín Ignacio de Loyola, (c.1550 in Eibar, Gipuzkoa, Spain – 1606 in Buenos Aires) was a Franciscan friar, best known for his two travels around the world in 1580-1584 and 1585-1589, being the first person to complete the world circumnavigation twice, and for his missionary effort in China.

Taking in account his two world circumnavigations and his two trips from Europe to South America, Loyola was probably the most widely traveled man in History up to the 17th century.

He was a grandnephew of Ignatius of Loyola, and was ordained a priest in Alaejos in 1572.

In both of his travels Loyola took advantage of Spain and Portugal being united under the crown of Philip II of Spain.

Loyola's first circumnavigation was made in a westerly direction.

Departing Cadiz on 21 June 1582, he sailed for the Canary Islands, then crossed the Atlantic to La Désirade, Puerto Rico, and Santo Domingo, to arrive in San Juan de Lúa (modern Veracruz), in México. After crossing to the Pacific Ocean coast of Mexico at Acapulco he sailed once again in a westerly direction, visiting the Mariana Islands, and the Philippines, before eventually reaching the Empire of China, where he landed in Fujian province. There he and his companions were considered to be spies and were sent to Guangzhou. After a year they were set free and sent to Macau. After travelling on to Japan, he departed once again in a westerly direction to return to Europe at Lisbon via the Straits of Malacca, Portuguese India, the Cape of Good Hope and Saint Helena.

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