The ships were ordered in 1915 but construction proceeded slowly due to material shortages during World War I.

The ships were built by Sociedad Española de Construcción Naval in Ferrol and showed considerable British design influence, resembling contemporary British C-class cruisers.

The superstructure was completely rebuilt and fitted with modern fire control equipment.

In early 1926, she supported the transatlantic flight from Spain to Buenos Aires, Argentina, of a four-man Spanish Air Force crew led by pilot Major Ramón Franco – the brother of future Spanish caudillo Francisco Franco – and including copilot/navigator Captain Julio Ruiz de Alda Miqueleiz in the Dornier Do J Wal ("Whale") flying boat Plus Ultra ("Farther Still"), carrying spares and other equipment for the flight.

[1] She struck a rock near Cape Finisterre in 1932 and sank in deep water.