Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Antiguo (Spanish for Old Quarter), also known as Casco Viejo or San Felipe, is the historic district of Panama City. Completed and settled in 1673, it was built following the near-total destruction of the original Panamá city, Panamá Viejo in 1671, when the latter was attacked by pirates. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997.[1]

Casco Antiguo
Historic District of Panama City
Aerial Panorama (Casco Antiguo)
Aerial Panorama (Casco Antiguo)
Location of San Felipe(Casco Antiguo) in Panamá province
Location of San Felipe(Casco Antiguo) in Panamá province
Casco Antiguo is located in Panama
Casco Antiguo
Casco Antiguo
Coordinates: 8°57′09″N 79°32′06″W
CountryPanama
ProvincePanamá
DistrictPanamá
CityPanama City
Websitecascoviejo.org
Official nameArchaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá
TypeCultural
CriteriaII, IV, VI
Designated1997 (21st session)
Reference no.790
Extension2003
RegionLatin America and the Caribbean

History

Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519 and it lasted one hundred and fifty-two years. In January 1671, the Governor Juan Perez de Guzman had it set on fire, before the attack and looting by the pirate Henry Morgan. In 1672, Antonio Fernández de Córdoba initiated the construction of a new city, which was then founded on January 21, 1673. This city was built on a peninsula completely isolated by the sea and a defensive system of walls.[2] Today this place preserves the first institutions and buildings of the modern city of Panama. It is known as Casco Viejo (Spanish for Old Town).

In recent years, Casco Viejo— through gentrification— has become a tourist hotspot filled with restaurants, boutique hotels, and nightclubs; while also maintaining the multiple historical sites it has to offer.[3][4]

Main sights
  • La Catedral Metropolitana is the main Catholic church in Panama city.
  • El Palacio de las Garzas, is the governmental office and residence of the President of Panama.
  • Church and Convent of San Francisco de Asís.
  • Church of San José
  • Church of La Merced
  • Church and Convent of Santo Domingo: Arco Chato
  • Church and convent of the Society of Jesus.
  • Palacio Municipal, which dates from the beginning of the 20th century.
  • Palacio Nacional
  • National Theatre of Panama
  • Panama Canal Museum
  • Palacio Bolívar
  • Góngora House
  • Plaza Bolívar
  • Plaza Herrera
  • Plaza de Francia
  • Plaza de la Independencia
  • Panama Canal Museum
    Panama Canal Museum
  • Plaza de la Independencia
    Plaza de la Independencia
  • San Francisco de Asís Church
    San Francisco de Asís Church
  • Inside San Francisco de Asís Church
    Inside San Francisco de Asís Church
  • National Theater
    National Theater
  • Inside the National Theater
    Inside the National Theater
  • Society of Jesus
    Society of Jesus
  • Convento de Santo Domingo
    Convento de Santo Domingo
  • Arco Chato
    Arco Chato
  • San José Church
    San José Church
  • Typical houses
    Typical houses
  • Palacio Nacional
    Palacio Nacional
  • Palacio de las Garzas
    Palacio de las Garzas
  • Casa Góngora
    Casa Góngora
  • Catedral Metropolitana
    Catedral Metropolitana
  • Inside the Catedral Metropolitana
    Inside the Catedral Metropolitana
  • Plaza Bolivar
    Plaza Bolivar
  • Map of Panama and its suburb in 1789
    Map of Panama and its suburb in 1789
  • Plaza Herrera
    Plaza Herrera
  • Panama City view from Casco Viejo
    Panama City view from Casco Viejo

References
  1. "Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá". whc.unesco.org. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  2. Castillero, Alfredo (2004). UNESCO Guides: Panamá la Vieja and Casco Viejo. UNESCO Publishing. ISBN 92-3-103923-7.
  3. "The Gentrification of Casco Viejo, Panama – Salt Trails". salttrails.com. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  4. Gold, David. "Nightlife in Casco Viejo". Casco Antiguo Spanish School. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
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