In 1595, a papal bull coming from the Holy See created the See of Cáceres under the Archdiocese of Manila.

Nueva Cáceres was considered the center of economy and industry in the Bicol Region, and the city was made capital of the province of Camarines.

On September 18, 1898, corporals Elias Angeles and Felix Plazo of the Guardia Civil planned a revolt to overthrow the Spanish colonial government and establish a republic.

When the Americans arrived in Nueva Cáceres, they encountered no resistance and replaced the republican government with their own.

In 1919, under the Insular Government, most of Nueva Cáceres became part of the municipality of Naga, while several villages in the northwest were retroceded to their respective mother towns.