On 28 March 1541 Quito was declared a city, and on 23 February 1556 it was given the title "Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de San Francisco de Quito" ("Very Noble and Loyal City of San Francisco of Quito"), marking the start of its next phase of urban development. In 1563 Quito became the seat of a "Real Audiencia" (administrative district) of Spain. It was classified as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru until 1717, after which the "Audiencia" was part of the new Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada. Under both Viceroyalties, the district was administered from Quito, (see Real Audiencia de Quito).