Isla Grande

Visit www.panamatourismtravel.com for a full day tour in Isla Grande  

Palm trees and white-sand beaches form the backdrop to this lovely little island, just 15km offshore from Portobelo

A few hundred people of African descent live on Grande, most of whom eke out a living from fishing and coconuts – you’ll get a taste of both when you sample the fine island cuisine.

A popular getaway for Panama City folk fleeing the urban grind, Isla Grande is an ideal setting for snorkeling, scuba diving or simply soaking up the island’s relaxed vibe

Old Quarter

Old Quarter is second Tourist Destination in Panama!

In 1671, after the Pirate Henry Morgan attacked, looted and destroyed the Old City, Old Panama . Its residents and settlers, desperate for a safer and easier location to defend themselves against future seige, decided on what is now The Old Quarter.

This unique walled city, consisting of 16th & 17th Century Spanish Colonial Architecture, is a gem which was unknown to most of the outside world until 2003 when UNESCO named Old Quarter a World Heritage Site.

Achutupu’s historic Guna Cementery

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A visit to Achutupu’s historic cemetery gives our guests a unique insight into Guna views of life and death.  It is up-river in an undulating,elevated mainland location at the edge of the rainforest (burial is impossible on the low lying coral reef occupied by Achutupu’s community). 

The funeral corteges arrive here by canoe, and then wind their way through dense growth until, finally, scattered palm roofs come into view between the trees, the open shelters over the graves.

In the Guna burial ritual the deceased is interred in a hammock suspended between two upright poles in a previously prepared  excavation.  The self- supported protective covering becomes a flat platform  upon which are placed floral decorations and personal items in homage to the loved one.

A flag mounted outside a particular tomb denotes that it houses the remains of a respected community leader.   .

You will leave the green tranquillity of this hallowed setting with many images to store in your memory

The Presidential Palace of Panama

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The Herons' Palace is the governmental office and residence of the President of Panama. It receives its name because of herons roamming freely in the courtyard. The herons were first brought to the building in 1922 by former president Belisario Porras, at the suggestion of friend and famed Panamanian poet Ricardo Miro.

History

The building is located in the old quarter of Panama City, which was built after the first settlement was destroyed just prior and during the sacking by pirate Henry Morgan. It was built in 1673 and has undergone many changes through the years. Initially, it was used as a home for the Spanish governor, as a royal winery, as a warehouse, and as both customs and National Bank's headquarters.

The new presidential house replaced the old customs offices on January 19, 1885. The remodeling works included the addition of a new room for official events in the upper level, along with other rooms to be used by the president and his family members. A Colombian artist, Epifanio Garay, was in charged of painting the portraits of all presidents since 1855.

The current Palacio de las Garzas was officially inaugurated on August 3, 1923. However, it was not until 1938 that it was acquired totally when the National Bank moved to its new headquarters located at Central Avenue. This transaction was in process since 1936 through an exchange with the Panamanian State.

Extensive renovations to the building were done around 1922, under the supervision of architect Leonardo Villanueva-Meyer. Works included the Andalusian courtyard, the addition of a third floor and two towers.

An elevator was added in 1934 for a State visit by US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt so that he could access the chambers where he was to stay.

 

Rooms

The Salón Amarillo (Yellow Room) is the most important room, where most formal events are held. The Salón de los Tamarindos (Tamarind's Room) is the presidential dining room and receives its name from its murals, where the Panamanian painter Roberto Lewis inspired his ideas on Taboga Island and its famous tamarind trees. This work was asked in 1938 by Juan Demóstenes Arosemena, the president of that period. The Salón Morisco (Moorish Room) was added during the 1922 renovations by Villanueva-Meyer.

The National Theater

Built in a Neo-Classic style, Panama's National Theater was one of the first public buildings inaugurated after the birth of the Republic, in 1903.

The original building where the theatre was later on built was actually a monastery for nuns. They had a small theatre called Sarah Bernahrdt, as it is said that the artist was once brought to perform there during the time of the French Canal. But the National Theater, was built over the monastery and inaugurated on October 1, 1908 during the presidency of José Domingo de Obaldía. Its debut was grandiose, with the opera Aida presented by the Italian company Mario Lambardi.

The building was designed  by Italian architect, Genaro Ruggeri, one of the most prolific architects in Panama at the time . Roberto Lewis painted the ceiling frescoes, and Enrico Corrado did the chalk sculpture. 

With a capacity for 850 spectators, the theater features on its main ceiling and foyer, frescoes by Roberto Lewis, the most renowned Panamanian painter of the first half of the 20th century.

Ceiling of the National Theater - Panamá City

San Jose Church & Gold Altar

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Famous Gold Altar of the Church of San Jose in Old Quarter is considered one of the greatest treasures of Panama. The church located on Avenida A near the corner of Calle 8 in the Old Quarter of Panama City. The famous "Gold Altar " was designed in the seventeenth century in Baroque style. Originally was located in the temple of the same name San Jose in Panama La Vieja, which pertained to religious Augustionos. In 1671 the English Privateer Henry Morgan attacked and sacked the this settlement. The Order of Augustines decided to move their church to the new town and in 1675 inaugurated a new monastery and church. The altar was completely renovated in 1915 by Mr Donderis.

Unfortunately I have to disappoint your hopes, but the altar is not realy gold. This massive baroque altar is carved in mahogany and covered in gold leaf. If you take a trip to Old Quarter , do not forget to visit the San Jose Church and admire the majestic beauty of the famous altar. 

One of the things you might want to see when you visit Panama is the famous golden altar of the Church of San Jose in Casco Viejo. The Church of San Jose is a small almost nondescript building on a narrow street in the San Felipe district of Panama City. Inside is the famous Golden Altar, which is made of carved wood and is covered in gold flake. Commonly known in Spanish as the "Altar de Oro" (Golden Altar), it was originally in a church in "Old Panama." When English pirate Henry Morgan attacked the city the jesuits painted the altar black to hide the gold. The pirates left it alone, thinking it was worthless. After Morgan sacked and burned "Old Panama" the Jesuit monks of the Order of St. Agustine moved the altar to the new church and its present location.

Legend

When Morgan and his men's approach the settlement the priest tried a desperate strategy to preserve the altar. He painted it completely black. When Morgan entered the church the priest was able to convince him that the alter before him was made of simple wood not gold. Morgan of course demanded what had happened to the "other altar." The priest told him that the famous altar had been stolen by another pirate. He even convinced Henry Morgan to donate some money to a fund to replace the altar. Morgan is supposed to have said to the priest, "I don't know why, but I think you are more of a pirate than I am."

The Flat Arch and Santo Domingo Church

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The Dominican friars began to build their church and convent in new Panama immediately after the founding of the city. In Old Panama they had a substantial building of stone, and some of this entered into the edifice in the new city. In the fire of 1756 all the woodwork was burned and the church was not rebuilt. It is a typical piece of the architecture of the period, the façade still showing where the towers rose, and the little statue of Saint

Dominic still standing above the board front entrance. The church is situated on the corner of Avenue A and 3^rd Street. It is built of rubble masonry, with dimension stone in the façade, and was erected by the lay brothers of the order. It is 75 feet wide and 120 feet long. The nave is 70 feet deep. Instead of having side naves the church has three arches or vaults for shrines on each side, and one arch on each side for entrances, that on the street side for the people and on the side opposite as a means of entrance from the old monastery. The apse is 50 feet deep and is formed by three grand arches (one was shattered in the earthquake of 1882) and two side arches. Near the main entrance, forming on of the supports for the choir is a brink arch, spanning a space of 50 feet, 35 feet high at the crown and 25 feet at the spring. So flat an arch is said to be an engineering “sport,” and is pointed out as one of the sights of the city.

Much interest centers in the old Dominican Church at the corner of Avenue A and Third Street, because of the Flat Arch, fifty feet wide, that spans the portals. The woodwork of the church was burned in the fire of 1756 and was never rebuilt, but the flat arch still stands and the quaint legend that attaches to it is interesting.—The friar who was directing the construction of the church had the arch built as we see it standing, but it fell; a second effort was made to erect the arch and it fell again. It was then that the friar prayed for guidance. In a vision it was revealed to him just how it should be constructed, and so he placed the stones with his own hands just as we see them today and achieved an architectural triumph for it has remained intact, resisting earthquakes and time with no support other than the terminal arches, which fact has puzzled practical architects from all over the world. This old arch also played an important part in building the canal, for the reason that it had remained standing all these years was convincing proof that Panama was outside of the earthquake area, and this fact was a deciding factor in the momentous question of building a lock type canal when the question was being debated as to the feasibility of a sea-level or lock type.

The flat arch collapsed on Friday night, November 7, 2003

Map: Old Panama sightseeing

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1. King's Bridge

During that time, there was an important bridge that connected the old city of Panama to the trail of mules or Camino Real which was then used to carry the treasures of the New World to Spain. It was built between 1619 and 1634

2 San Jose Convent

The walls of San Jose Church and Convent are still visible and about 110 feet by 59 feet. It has smaller chapels on both sides of the main altar, which was the home of the "Golden Altar". This church belonged to the Agustine Monks. This altar was white washed and more colors painted on, just before Henry Morgan attacked the city. This plan to deceive the pirates worked and the altar was spared. This convent did not burn in the fire of 1671, due to its distance from the main part of town. The altar was moved to the new city of Panamá, into the new San Jose Church

3 Convento de Santo Domingo

Located North of the Plaza Mayor, it included a convent and a church built on one acre of land. This was run by the Dominican Friars, and was one of the smallest churchs in town. The convent was established in 1571, and the stone structure was constructed after 1590. These structures, were lost during the fire.

4 El Obispado

The home and offices of the Catholic Bishop for the colony

5 La Catedral

This was the most important church in the city, in the main plaza. Originally constructed of wood in 1535 and reinforced in 1580. The stone structure was started in 1610 and took 16 years to complete.

6 Cabildo Municipal

The Municipal Building was originally built behind the Cathedral. The building was destroyed in 1612 by an earthquake. When it was rebuilt, it was built of masonry, much large and relocated to the Plaza Mayor.

7 Casa de Genovese

Slave Market was built to house thousands of African slave, imported into Panamá to replace in Indians. The native Indians were insufficient in numbers to meet the large demand for labor. Especially for the transportation of the Treasures to the Caribbean and merchandise back across the Isthmus.

8 Casas Reales

Built in 1556, this complex included the Quartermaster Building, the Court, the Chancellory, the Gun Powder Deposit, the Royal Audience Court and the Residence of the Governor.

9 Jail

The local jail, used to house prisoners. This building was on the seawall, and was heavily damaged by the sea.

10 Kitchen

The main kitchens, used to cook the food for the slaves and garrison. This building was on the seawall, and was heavily damaged by the sea.

11 Matadero

This was the local slaughter house This building was on the seawall, and was heavily damaged by the sea.

12 San Juan de Dios Hospital 

Originally called San Sebastian's Hospital, this was built by the government and run by nuns until 1620, when the friars of San Juan, took over. The hospital includes grounds and a church.

13 Convento de San Francisco 

This convent was run by the Franciscan friars. The Franciscan's were among the first settlers in Panamá, sometime during the 1520's. They established their convent in 1573. In 1603, they constructed the church and monestary of stone. Most of the friars were killed rendering aid to the wounded, during the pirates attack.


14 Convento de La Merced

This is one of the most beautiful, of the ruins of the city. Francisco Pizarro and his men celebrated mass and had communion, before they started their third (final) expedition to Peru. This convent was used as Henry Morgan's headquarters, in 1671, after they saved it from the flames. The church was also used as a warehouse to store the Pirates booty.

15 Navidad Fort

This fort protected the western entrance to the city. It was constructed in 1658, and had a garrison of 50 men, 6 cannons and a small gun power deposit. The fort proved inefective against the Pirates.

16 Matadero Bridge

This bridge was also called the "Morgan Bridge" because this was the bridge that Morgan used to gain enterance to the city, in 1671. It was later called the Matadero Bridge, because it was used by the farmers, when they took their livestock to get slaughtered. This bridge is on the road to Cruces and el Castillo de San Lorenzo.

17 Convento de la Compania de Jesus & Church

Built in 1607, this stone structure was destroyed by fire in 1671, during Henry Morgan's attack. It was built by the Jesuits, who were late comers to the city. It probably served has a school, since the Jesuits established the first primary and secondary schools in Panamá

18 Iglesia de la Concepcion

The Sisters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception founded this convent in 1598, and it served as a girls school. First constructed of wood, it was later rebuilt of stone in 1690

19 Convento de la Concepcion

This was the convent that was next door the the church.

20 Monasterio de San Cristobal

Destroyed

Old Panama

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Old Panma (Panamá Viejo) is the remaining part of the old Panama City and former capital of the country. It is located in the suburbs of the modern city. Together with the historical district of Panamá, it forms a World Heritage Site.

The city was founded 15 August 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila and other 100 inhabitants; at the time, it was the first permanent settlement on the Pacific Ocean, substituting the two cities of Santa María la Antigüa del Darién and Acla. Two years later, in 1521, the settlement was promoted to the status of city by a royal decree and was given a coat of arms by Charles V of Spain, forming a new cabildo. Shortly after its creation the city became a starting point for various expeditions in Peru and an important base where gold and silver were sent to Spain.

In 1539 and 1563, the city suffered some fires which destroyed parts of it but they did not harm the city's development. In 1610, the city reached a population of 5000, with 500 houses and some convents and chapels, a hospital and a cathedral.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the city was attacked several times by pirates and indigenous people from Darién. On 2 May 1620, an earthquake damaged many buildings in the city. On 21 February 1644, the Great Fire destroyed 83 religious buildings, including the cathedral. At this time, there were 8,000 people living in the city.

In 1670, the city counted 10,000 inhabitants. On 28 January 1671, the Welsh privateer Henry Morgan attacked the city with 1,400 men marching from the Caribbean coast across the jungle. Morgan's force defeated the city's militia then proceeded to sack Panamá. Either Morgan and his army started a fire that burned the city or the Captain General Don Juan Pérez de Guzmán ordered the gunpowder magazines exploded. Either way, the resulting fire destroyed the city. Morgan's attack caused the loss of thousands of lives and Panamá had to be rebuilt a few kilometres to the west on a new site (the current one).

Because the sacking of Panamá violated a new peace treaty between England and Spain, Morgan was arrested and conducted to England in 1672. He proved he had no knowledge of the treaty. Instead of punishment, Morgan was knighted by King Charles II of England in 1674 before returning to Jamaica the following year to take up the post of Lieutenant Governor

Recipe: Sancocho (Chicken Soup)

Ingredients:

Canola oil

1 onion

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano Leaves

Salt

Pepper

1 quart chicken broth

2 lbs. ñame, peeled and chunked (potatos can be substituted)

1 yucca

3 carrots

About six cloves of garlic

About 4 tbsps. chopped cilantro

 

2 ears of corn

What I do:

I start by heating some canola oil in a large soup pot. I slice one of the onions into thin half circles and then throw those in and let them start cooking. Then I add the chicken, season with some oregano, salt and pepper and cook until the meat is done. Scoop out the chicken and onions and put in a bowl for later. (I use one of the onions so the chicken can absorb the flavor as it cooks). Save the juices in the pot to cook the root vegetables.

I cut the root veggies into cubes about an inch each way and add them to the pot in the order I think they will take longest to cook: sweet potato, yucca, potato, carrot As they cook and get tender, I gradually add chicken broth to the pot so they always have a little bit of liquid to cook in. I slice the rest of the onions into half rounds and throw those in, then season the mix with some more (maybe two tablespoons) of oregano, salt, and let cook for a few minutes. As they're cooking,

After the root veggies are pretty soft, I add the rest of the chicken broth and the corn (broken into half ears). I cut the chicken from the first step into chunks and add it (with the cooked onions) to the pot. Bring to a boil and then let simmer. The longer the better because the flavors will meld more. I always like my soups thicker, closer to a stew so I let mine go quite a while to thicken.