Tour
Suggested
The main plaza in Old Panama occupies an important place in
the history of Latin American urban planning as one of oldest such space.
The quadrangle of Old Panama´s main plaza is small and
slightly trapezoidal in shape. Records indicate that in 1671 it measured approximately
69 x 57 meters, a very modest size in comparison to the huge plaza subsequently
laid out in Mexico and the Andean region. The archaeological excavation
conducted a decade ago suggest the the original plaza was even smaller as the
block on the north side, corresponding to the so-called Terrin houses, was
reduced in size in the early 17th century , thus providing 500 m2 of additional open
space .
The plaza is presided over by the cathedral tower, located
more or less at the center of the east side. Right of the cathedral stad the
ruins of the old cabildo or council, a small building that had a two stored
arade. the terrin house also had an arcade .
On the west side was a row of wooden house, while the south side, where the prision is
thought to have been located, is buried
beneath a modern building
