Panama City Tours: Old Panama - Panama Viejo

Dexc: Old Panama, or Panama Viejo, is the ruins of the first Panama City.
The ruined site of Old Panama covers a total of 28 hectares, with a further 6473 square meters where 17 monuments or ruins have existed. An impressive 37,000 visitors toured the site known as Panama Viejo in 2007, including students, children, local Panamanians and tourists. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, and work continues to maintain, consolidate and restore these artifacts.

Panama City was founded in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila and was the first European establishment on the Pacific coast of the continent of America. In 1671 it was burnt to the ground by British pirate, Henry Morgan, who was active in the Caribbean at this time. The city was resited and built at what is now called the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo).

The ruins which remain in Old Panama are on a protected site, with a minimal charge to enter. They make a quiet oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling and busy city of Panama. The buildings at Panama Viejo include the Tower of Old Panama and El Puente del Rey (Bridge of the King). Not surprisingly a river runs beneath the old bridge causing concern and some instability, so remedial work continues on this site. There is also San Jose Convent, Santo Domingo Convent, the Cathedral, and the Town Hall. The Casas Oeste are in need of protection from the elements, as is the House Terrin Franco. The Conception has been 90% restored and works continue to construct the floor and ceiling of the North Chapel. The Bunker of Natividad, Puente Del Matadero (Slaughter House Bridge) and the Convent of La Mercad are also interesting monuments.

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The main problems faced by the Patronage of Old Panama restoration works are stones being removed from the site; the rapid and destructive growth of vegetation; and the eroding of these ancient buildings by the elements of time and weather. Special mortar is used in the restoration work so that the stones remain firm and the rainwater cannot erode them. Currently $3.5 million has been spent, not including the construction of the Visitor Center on site. As it is an historical site, archaeological excavations and investigations continue by students and foreign specialists.

Future plans include building a center for school and college tours to use, and the development of a theatre project to recreate the scenes of 17th century Panama.