The Churches of Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama

While studying Spanish for two weeks at Casco Antiguo Spanish School in Casco Viejo, I spent much of my free time strolling the streets of the Old Town. I loved taking in the different scenes which range from ruins to restored buildings and everything else in between. Unlike many places in Europe, the churches are free to visit.

While I visited the churches at various times of the day, I found that popping in just before class between 7:30 and 8am or just after an early dinner before they close at 8pm are the most rewarding as the atmosphere is very tranquil. Both the art and architecture vary in each place of worship making each visit interesting, even for the non-religious tourist.

Iglesia de San José is located on Avenue A on the west side of Casco Viejo. The rectangular Augustinian temple was one of the first to be constructed in the Old Quarter. Destroyed by fire in 1737, it was later rebuilt and ultimately abandoned when an 1832 law abolished all convents. The church was used as a school chapel until the late 19th century upon the return of the religious order.

From the outside, the drab white exterior and large wooden door, hardly attract the eye of a passerby. The church’s elaborate interior, however, speaks for itself. The Iglesia de San José features a spectacular wooden altarpiece covered in gold leaf. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).