Pedro de Candía (circa 1485-1542) was a Greek conquistador, explorer, and cartographer born in Crete (then the Kingdom of Candia, a Venetian territory). He served the Kingdom of Spain and was an officer in the Spanish Navy. Candía was an artillery specialist, skilled in the use of firearms and cannons.
Candía participated in early explorations of Panama and the Pacific coast of Colombia. He is most known for his role in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire as part of Francisco Pizarro's expedition. Candía's expertise with artillery was crucial in key battles, such as the Battle of Cajamarca in 1532, where the Spanish captured the Inca emperor Atahualpa. For his service, he was appointed artillery master and councilor of Tumbes. Candía was one of the "Famous Thirteen" who stayed with Pizarro on the islands of Gallo and Gorgona, thus continuing the exploration of the Peruvian coast.
