Old Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Panama City
German polymath and geographer Alexander von Humboldt, who analyzed the Isthmus of Panama as a natural crossroads in the early 19th century, famously described Panama as a place destined by nature to become the meeting point of nations.
Founded on 15 August 1519 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila, Panama City was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Indigenous peoples had already used routes for trade, and the Spanish quickly recognized the city’s strategic value as a link between the riches of South America and Europe. The name Panamá is generally believed to derive from an indigenous word, likely from the Cueva or related languages once spoken in the region, commonly associated with ideas such as “abundance of fish” or “place of many fish”.
The original city became a key hub of the Spanish Empire. Gold and silver from Peru were shipped north along the Pacific coast, transported across the isthmus by mule, and then sent onward to Spain from Caribbean ports. This prosperity also made the city a target. In 1671, the pirate Henry Morgan attacked and destroyed Old Panama, leaving it largely in ruins. The remains of churches, convents, and the cathedral tower still mark the site today.
Following the destruction, the city was rebuilt a few kilometers west, on a small peninsula easier to defend. This new settlement, founded in 1673, is today’s Old Town, known as Casco Viejo. Designed with defensive walls, narrow streets, and fortified bastions, it reflected both military concerns and Spanish colonial urban planning.
During the 19th century, Panama City gained renewed importance with the California Gold Rush, when thousands crossed the Isthmus of Panama en route to the Pacific. The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 transformed the city once again, shifting its role from colonial port to global transit center. Today, Panama City stands as a city of contrasts, where glass towers rise beyond colonial plazas. Its Old Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves the memory of conquest, trade, destruction, and renewal that has defined the city for more than five centuries.
Walking through Panama City’s Old Town, visitors move between plazas and landmark buildings that trace the country’s past. Independence Square anchors the historic quarter, facing the Metropolitan Cathedral. Nearby, the Panama Canal Museum explains the canal’s global impact. Bolivar Park offers a quieter pause, while the Museum of Colonial Religious Art reveals sacred paintings, sculpture, and silverwork.
As this walk unfolds, the streets of the Old Town reveal why Humboldt’s observation still holds. This is not simply a historic district, but a place shaped by movement: of people, goods, ideas, and ambition, where Panama continues to serve as a meeting point of nations.
Founded on 15 August 1519 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila, Panama City was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Indigenous peoples had already used routes for trade, and the Spanish quickly recognized the city’s strategic value as a link between the riches of South America and Europe. The name Panamá is generally believed to derive from an indigenous word, likely from the Cueva or related languages once spoken in the region, commonly associated with ideas such as “abundance of fish” or “place of many fish”.
The original city became a key hub of the Spanish Empire. Gold and silver from Peru were shipped north along the Pacific coast, transported across the isthmus by mule, and then sent onward to Spain from Caribbean ports. This prosperity also made the city a target. In 1671, the pirate Henry Morgan attacked and destroyed Old Panama, leaving it largely in ruins. The remains of churches, convents, and the cathedral tower still mark the site today.
Following the destruction, the city was rebuilt a few kilometers west, on a small peninsula easier to defend. This new settlement, founded in 1673, is today’s Old Town, known as Casco Viejo. Designed with defensive walls, narrow streets, and fortified bastions, it reflected both military concerns and Spanish colonial urban planning.
During the 19th century, Panama City gained renewed importance with the California Gold Rush, when thousands crossed the Isthmus of Panama en route to the Pacific. The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 transformed the city once again, shifting its role from colonial port to global transit center. Today, Panama City stands as a city of contrasts, where glass towers rise beyond colonial plazas. Its Old Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves the memory of conquest, trade, destruction, and renewal that has defined the city for more than five centuries.
Walking through Panama City’s Old Town, visitors move between plazas and landmark buildings that trace the country’s past. Independence Square anchors the historic quarter, facing the Metropolitan Cathedral. Nearby, the Panama Canal Museum explains the canal’s global impact. Bolivar Park offers a quieter pause, while the Museum of Colonial Religious Art reveals sacred paintings, sculpture, and silverwork.
As this walk unfolds, the streets of the Old Town reveal why Humboldt’s observation still holds. This is not simply a historic district, but a place shaped by movement: of people, goods, ideas, and ambition, where Panama continues to serve as a meeting point of nations.
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Old Town Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Old Town Walking Tour
Guide Location: Panama » Panama City (See other walking tours in Panama City)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Panama » Panama City (See other walking tours in Panama City)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square)
- Panama Canal Museum
- Panama History Museum
- Metropolitan Cathedral
- Herons' Palace (Presidential Palace)
- Parque Bolivar (Bolivar Park)
- Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Teatro Nacional (National Theater)
- Casa Gongora (Gongora House)
- Museum of Colonial Religious Art
- Plaza de Francia (France Square)
1) Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square)
Panama declared its independence from Colombia on 3 November 1903 in what is now known as Independence Square, also called Plaza Mayor or Cathedral Plaza. This space has long functioned as the civic, religious, and symbolic center of the Old Town. As you move across the square today, cafes, small shops, and artisan stalls line the edges.
Along the western side of the square stands the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama, its white twin bell towers rising above the plaza and forming its most dominant visual landmark. On the northern side, two major museums sit side by side. To the left, the Panama Canal Museum occupies a grand former hotel building. Immediately beside it, to the right, the Panama History Museum offers a broader narrative of the country’s past.
The southern side of the plaza is enclosed by additional colonial-era buildings that once served residential and administrative purposes. Scattered within the plaza are several statues and commemorative monuments, including figures associated with independence and national memory. These sculptures add another layer to the space, reminding visitors that Independence Square is not only defined by the buildings around it, but also by the events and people it continues to honor.
Along the western side of the square stands the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama, its white twin bell towers rising above the plaza and forming its most dominant visual landmark. On the northern side, two major museums sit side by side. To the left, the Panama Canal Museum occupies a grand former hotel building. Immediately beside it, to the right, the Panama History Museum offers a broader narrative of the country’s past.
The southern side of the plaza is enclosed by additional colonial-era buildings that once served residential and administrative purposes. Scattered within the plaza are several statues and commemorative monuments, including figures associated with independence and national memory. These sculptures add another layer to the space, reminding visitors that Independence Square is not only defined by the buildings around it, but also by the events and people it continues to honor.
2) Panama Canal Museum (must see)
The Panama Canal Museum documents the long and complex history of the canal, tracing its development from early ambitions to its eventual transfer from U.S. control to the Panamanian government in 1999. Through maps, photographs, engineering plans, and personal accounts, the exhibitions explain how one of the world’s most important waterways came into being. In the lobby, visitors will notice a large original Fresnel lens, once used in a lighthouse along the canal route.
The museum building itself is historically significant. Constructed in 1874, it originally served as the headquarters of the French Universal Interoceanic Canal Company, which led the first canal attempt. In 1912, it was repurposed as Panama City’s main post office, further embedding it in the civic life of the city. Inside, the museum is arranged over several levels, each focusing on a different phase of the canal’s history. Exhibits explore the global interest in creating a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the immense challenges that delayed its realization.
The museum gives particular attention to the French attempt of the 1880s, which was ultimately abandoned after costs spiraled and tens of thousands of workers died, primarily from disease. The narrative then shifts to the American-led effort, highlighting advances in engineering, disease control, and organization that made completion possible. Another key focus is daily life on the canal. Exhibits examine the experiences of workers who arrived from dozens of countries and whose labor made the project possible.
Tip: Most exhibit text is presented in Spanish. An English-language audio guide is available and can be helpful for visitors who prefer narrated explanations.
The museum building itself is historically significant. Constructed in 1874, it originally served as the headquarters of the French Universal Interoceanic Canal Company, which led the first canal attempt. In 1912, it was repurposed as Panama City’s main post office, further embedding it in the civic life of the city. Inside, the museum is arranged over several levels, each focusing on a different phase of the canal’s history. Exhibits explore the global interest in creating a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the immense challenges that delayed its realization.
The museum gives particular attention to the French attempt of the 1880s, which was ultimately abandoned after costs spiraled and tens of thousands of workers died, primarily from disease. The narrative then shifts to the American-led effort, highlighting advances in engineering, disease control, and organization that made completion possible. Another key focus is daily life on the canal. Exhibits examine the experiences of workers who arrived from dozens of countries and whose labor made the project possible.
Tip: Most exhibit text is presented in Spanish. An English-language audio guide is available and can be helpful for visitors who prefer narrated explanations.
3) Panama History Museum
The Panama History Museum is located on the ground floor of the Municipal Palace of Panama City, a neoclassical building completed in 1910 that continues to serve civic functions. The museum presents a broad overview of Panama’s past, with exhibits organized into three main rooms, each corresponding to a major historical period.
The Colonial History Room covers the era from 1501 to 1821, when Panama formed part of the Spanish Empire. Displays include route maps illustrating early trans-isthmian trade, European and Indigenous weapons, and reproductions of historic engravings that document colonial life and exploration.
The Departmental History Room focuses on the period from 1821 to 1903, when Panama was part of the Republic of Colombia as a department. This section examines political life, trade, and daily conditions during the nineteenth century, using copies of historical photographs and documents to illustrate the era.
The Republican History Room covers the period from 1903 to the present, beginning with Panama’s separation from Colombia. Among its highlights are a replica of the first Panamanian flag, designed by María Ossa de Amador, the wife of Manuel Amador Guerrero, Panama’s first president. The original design of the Panamanian Coat of Arms is also displayed, along with a draft of a telegram dated 3 November 1903, announcing Panama’s independence.
The Colonial History Room covers the era from 1501 to 1821, when Panama formed part of the Spanish Empire. Displays include route maps illustrating early trans-isthmian trade, European and Indigenous weapons, and reproductions of historic engravings that document colonial life and exploration.
The Departmental History Room focuses on the period from 1821 to 1903, when Panama was part of the Republic of Colombia as a department. This section examines political life, trade, and daily conditions during the nineteenth century, using copies of historical photographs and documents to illustrate the era.
The Republican History Room covers the period from 1903 to the present, beginning with Panama’s separation from Colombia. Among its highlights are a replica of the first Panamanian flag, designed by María Ossa de Amador, the wife of Manuel Amador Guerrero, Panama’s first president. The original design of the Panamanian Coat of Arms is also displayed, along with a draft of a telegram dated 3 November 1903, announcing Panama’s independence.
4) Metropolitan Cathedral
No visit to Panama City’s Old Town feels complete without stopping at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama. Construction began in 1688 and stretched over more than a century, with the cathedral finally completed and consecrated in 1796. Over the centuries, the cathedral has endured earthquakes, fires, and periods of decline that affected much of the surrounding city. While neighboring buildings were damaged or replaced during the nineteenth century, the cathedral itself remained standing.
Architecturally, the cathedral is defined by contrast rather than ornament. The central facade, constructed using stone reused from the ruins of Old Panama, appears darker and more subdued. This section is flanked by two lighter-colored bell towers, creating a visual balance. Rather than following a single architectural plan, the cathedral combines elements shaped by different periods of colonial design.
Set into niches on the exterior are wooden statues of saints, including a prominent figure of the Virgin Mary associated with Santa María la Antigua, the patroness of Panama. These figures are later additions and are often mistaken for stone due to their weathered appearance.
Inside, the cathedral reveals a more elaborate interior. The main altarpiece, dating largely to the late nineteenth century, is composed of multiple types of marble combined with gold leaf. It was restored between 2018 and 2019, when the altar was reconsecrated and blessed by Pope Francis during his visit to Panama. Stained-glass windows filter light into the nave, adding color to a space that has witnessed centuries of religious, political, and civic life.
Architecturally, the cathedral is defined by contrast rather than ornament. The central facade, constructed using stone reused from the ruins of Old Panama, appears darker and more subdued. This section is flanked by two lighter-colored bell towers, creating a visual balance. Rather than following a single architectural plan, the cathedral combines elements shaped by different periods of colonial design.
Set into niches on the exterior are wooden statues of saints, including a prominent figure of the Virgin Mary associated with Santa María la Antigua, the patroness of Panama. These figures are later additions and are often mistaken for stone due to their weathered appearance.
Inside, the cathedral reveals a more elaborate interior. The main altarpiece, dating largely to the late nineteenth century, is composed of multiple types of marble combined with gold leaf. It was restored between 2018 and 2019, when the altar was reconsecrated and blessed by Pope Francis during his visit to Panama. Stained-glass windows filter light into the nave, adding color to a space that has witnessed centuries of religious, political, and civic life.
5) Herons' Palace (Presidential Palace)
The Herons' Palace occupies one of the most historically significant sites, the original structure dating to 1673, when it was built as a residence for a Spanish colonial judge. Over the following centuries, the building adapted repeatedly to the city’s changing needs, serving at various times as a customs house, warehouse, school, and bank, before gradually evolving into the seat of executive power.
The appearance of the palace today is largely the result of extensive renovations carried out in the early twentieth century, particularly during the presidency of Belisario Porras. These works transformed the building into the official presidential residence and introduced a carefully curated blend of Spanish colonial and Spanish-Moorish architectural elements.
This influence is most clearly visible in the central courtyard, which functions as the architectural and symbolic heart of the palace. Arcaded galleries surround the space, while fountains and shaded walkways reflect Andalusian and Moorish traditions adapted to the tropical climate. The palace takes its popular name from the white herons that move freely through the courtyard. Introduced in 1922 as a gift to President Porras from Panama’s Darién region, the birds have become a living emblem of the building.
Modern additions reflect the palace’s continued use as a working residence. In 1934, an elevator was installed in preparation for the visit of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose mobility required easier access within the building. Today, the palace remains an active center of government. Public access is restricted, but guided visits to selected areas are occasionally offered.
The appearance of the palace today is largely the result of extensive renovations carried out in the early twentieth century, particularly during the presidency of Belisario Porras. These works transformed the building into the official presidential residence and introduced a carefully curated blend of Spanish colonial and Spanish-Moorish architectural elements.
This influence is most clearly visible in the central courtyard, which functions as the architectural and symbolic heart of the palace. Arcaded galleries surround the space, while fountains and shaded walkways reflect Andalusian and Moorish traditions adapted to the tropical climate. The palace takes its popular name from the white herons that move freely through the courtyard. Introduced in 1922 as a gift to President Porras from Panama’s Darién region, the birds have become a living emblem of the building.
Modern additions reflect the palace’s continued use as a working residence. In 1934, an elevator was installed in preparation for the visit of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose mobility required easier access within the building. Today, the palace remains an active center of government. Public access is restricted, but guided visits to selected areas are occasionally offered.
6) Parque Bolivar (Bolivar Park)
In 1826, Simón Bolívar, widely respected as a Latin American hero for his role in the region’s independence movements, convened the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama in the chapter house of the former Convent of San Francisco. There he urged newly independent Latin American republics to consider unity and cooperation in the face of lingering Spanish influence, even proposing a league of nations.
Although the plan for a unified state did not come to fruition, Bolívar’s military leadership helped secure independence for Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In 1756, a fire destroyed the houses on this site, leaving an open space that was later named Bolívar Square in 1883 in honor of Bolívar’s legacy. Today, this space functions as a park.
At the center of the park stands a monument to Simón Bolívar, unveiled in 1926 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Amphictyonic Congress. The sculpture uses decorative friezes to evoke moments from Bolívar’s life and is topped by an Andean condor, a symbol of independence and liberty.
Along the northern side of the park is the Simón Bolívar School, a building traditionally associated with Bolívar’s time in Panama and the park’s educational heritage, though the actual Congress took place in the Bolívar Hall within the former Franciscan complex.
The park’s eastern edge is defined by two prominent historic buildings. On the left, the Bolívar Palace, which today houses Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Relations and contains the preserved Bolívar Hall where the Amphictyonic Congress was held. Immediately beside it, on the right, stands the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, the surviving element of the former Franciscan convent complex.
Bolívar Park remains an integral part of daily life in Panama City. Mango and palm trees shade benches where people gather, children play, and residents chat, giving the space a relaxed atmosphere that blends its historic significance with everyday urban life.
Although the plan for a unified state did not come to fruition, Bolívar’s military leadership helped secure independence for Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In 1756, a fire destroyed the houses on this site, leaving an open space that was later named Bolívar Square in 1883 in honor of Bolívar’s legacy. Today, this space functions as a park.
At the center of the park stands a monument to Simón Bolívar, unveiled in 1926 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Amphictyonic Congress. The sculpture uses decorative friezes to evoke moments from Bolívar’s life and is topped by an Andean condor, a symbol of independence and liberty.
Along the northern side of the park is the Simón Bolívar School, a building traditionally associated with Bolívar’s time in Panama and the park’s educational heritage, though the actual Congress took place in the Bolívar Hall within the former Franciscan complex.
The park’s eastern edge is defined by two prominent historic buildings. On the left, the Bolívar Palace, which today houses Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Relations and contains the preserved Bolívar Hall where the Amphictyonic Congress was held. Immediately beside it, on the right, stands the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, the surviving element of the former Franciscan convent complex.
Bolívar Park remains an integral part of daily life in Panama City. Mango and palm trees shade benches where people gather, children play, and residents chat, giving the space a relaxed atmosphere that blends its historic significance with everyday urban life.
7) Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a Roman Catholic church, holding an important place in the religious and architectural history of the Old Town. The church stands on land that once formed part of the Franciscan convent complex, closely linked to the intellectual and religious life of colonial Panama. The original structures on this site suffered repeated damage, notably during fires in 1737 and 1756, which affected much of the surrounding area. Over time, the church was rebuilt and altered, with major restoration work completed in 1998, giving it the appearance seen today.
Architecturally, the church is characterized by a solid stone structure typical of early colonial religious buildings. Its interior preserves a strong Baroque influence, particularly in the carved wooden altars. These were produced with the involvement of local Indigenous artisans, working under the supervision of Franciscan monks, reflecting the blending of European religious design with regional craftsmanship.
The main altar, composed of finely carved and painted tropical hardwood elements, stands out as one of the church’s most notable features and an important example of colonial religious art in Panama. While restrained on the exterior, the interior reveals a level of decorative detail that rewards closer attention.
Architecturally, the church is characterized by a solid stone structure typical of early colonial religious buildings. Its interior preserves a strong Baroque influence, particularly in the carved wooden altars. These were produced with the involvement of local Indigenous artisans, working under the supervision of Franciscan monks, reflecting the blending of European religious design with regional craftsmanship.
The main altar, composed of finely carved and painted tropical hardwood elements, stands out as one of the church’s most notable features and an important example of colonial religious art in Panama. While restrained on the exterior, the interior reveals a level of decorative detail that rewards closer attention.
8) Teatro Nacional (National Theater)
The National Theater of Panama opened in 1908 and was built on the site of a former colonial religious complex, reflecting the practice of repurposing ecclesiastical land for civic use in the early republican period.
Over the course of the twentieth century, the building experienced periods of decline and adaptation. At various times, it functioned as a cinema and even as a social venue for elite gatherings, before its cultural role was gradually restored. Major conservation efforts were carried out in two phases: an initial restoration in the 1970s, followed by a more comprehensive program in the early 2000s, leading to the theater’s reopening in 2004.
The interior is richly decorated, featuring ornate balconies highlighted with gold detailing, large chandeliers, and a carefully restored auditorium. In the foyer and public spaces, busts of prominent literary figures underscore the theater’s connection to the performing arts and literary tradition. One of the theater’s most distinctive features is its ceiling frescoes, painted by Roberto Lewis, one of Panama’s most important early twentieth-century artists. These murals present scenes from Panamanian history framed through allegorical and classical imagery, drawing on the visual language of Greek mythology to convey national themes.
Today, the National Theater remains one of Panama’s principal cultural institutions, hosting theater productions, concerts, opera, and ballet, and serving as a key venue for the country’s artistic life.
Over the course of the twentieth century, the building experienced periods of decline and adaptation. At various times, it functioned as a cinema and even as a social venue for elite gatherings, before its cultural role was gradually restored. Major conservation efforts were carried out in two phases: an initial restoration in the 1970s, followed by a more comprehensive program in the early 2000s, leading to the theater’s reopening in 2004.
The interior is richly decorated, featuring ornate balconies highlighted with gold detailing, large chandeliers, and a carefully restored auditorium. In the foyer and public spaces, busts of prominent literary figures underscore the theater’s connection to the performing arts and literary tradition. One of the theater’s most distinctive features is its ceiling frescoes, painted by Roberto Lewis, one of Panama’s most important early twentieth-century artists. These murals present scenes from Panamanian history framed through allegorical and classical imagery, drawing on the visual language of Greek mythology to convey national themes.
Today, the National Theater remains one of Panama’s principal cultural institutions, hosting theater productions, concerts, opera, and ballet, and serving as a key venue for the country’s artistic life.
9) Casa Gongora (Gongora House)
Góngora House is a rare surviving example of 18th-century domestic colonial architecture, notable for its traditional wooden construction and period details. Unlike the stone and masonry buildings that dominate much of the Old Town today, the house preserves a form of residential architecture once common in Panama but largely lost to fires, decay, and later redevelopment. The house is usually dated to the mid-18th century and is associated in local accounts with the merchant Góngora Cáceres, linked to the pearl trade.
The property changed hands many times over the centuries and was transferred to the Municipality of Panama in 1995. Before becoming municipal property, the house passed through private and institutional ownership. When the Historic District of Panama City received UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 1997, Góngora House fell within that protected urban fabric.
A major restoration from 1998 to 1999 aimed to preserve surviving original elements, and sources consistently note the retention of features such as wooden doors, balconies, and other historic woodwork. Today, the house is used as a municipal cultural venue, often hosting exhibitions and occasional public programs, making it as much a living community space as an architectural survivor.
The property changed hands many times over the centuries and was transferred to the Municipality of Panama in 1995. Before becoming municipal property, the house passed through private and institutional ownership. When the Historic District of Panama City received UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 1997, Góngora House fell within that protected urban fabric.
A major restoration from 1998 to 1999 aimed to preserve surviving original elements, and sources consistently note the retention of features such as wooden doors, balconies, and other historic woodwork. Today, the house is used as a municipal cultural venue, often hosting exhibitions and occasional public programs, making it as much a living community space as an architectural survivor.
10) Museum of Colonial Religious Art
The Church and Convent of Santo Domingo was one of the most important religious complexes in Panama’s historic district. Established in the 1670s, the Dominican convent suffered severe damage during catastrophic fires in 1737 and 1756, events that devastated much of the colonial city and left the main church largely in ruins.
What survives today is a carefully restored ensemble of stone walls, arcades, and restrained architectural elements that reflect the sober style favored by the Dominican order. The site’s most distinctive feature is the Flat Arch, a rare, nearly horizontal masonry arch originally built to support the church’s wooden choir loft, measuring roughly 15 meters. Although it stood for more than three centuries, the original structure collapsed in November 2003 and was subsequently faithfully reconstructed.
The Flat Arch is closely linked to the history of the Panama Canal. During debates in the United States Congress in the early 20th century over the canal’s route, the arch’s long survival was cited as evidence that Panama was not located in a major earthquake zone. Panamanian advocates used this argument to counter concerns about seismic and volcanic risks associated with the rival Nicaragua route, helping shape the narrative that favored Panama.
The Museum of Colonial Religious Art is housed in the adjacent restored Chapel of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Inside, the museum preserves a collection of colonial-era religious art, including altars, paintings, sculptures, and silver liturgical objects dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Many of these pieces were salvaged from other churches in Panama City and interior regions, offering insight into the artistic traditions, religious practices, and craftsmanship of the Spanish colonial period.
What survives today is a carefully restored ensemble of stone walls, arcades, and restrained architectural elements that reflect the sober style favored by the Dominican order. The site’s most distinctive feature is the Flat Arch, a rare, nearly horizontal masonry arch originally built to support the church’s wooden choir loft, measuring roughly 15 meters. Although it stood for more than three centuries, the original structure collapsed in November 2003 and was subsequently faithfully reconstructed.
The Flat Arch is closely linked to the history of the Panama Canal. During debates in the United States Congress in the early 20th century over the canal’s route, the arch’s long survival was cited as evidence that Panama was not located in a major earthquake zone. Panamanian advocates used this argument to counter concerns about seismic and volcanic risks associated with the rival Nicaragua route, helping shape the narrative that favored Panama.
The Museum of Colonial Religious Art is housed in the adjacent restored Chapel of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Inside, the museum preserves a collection of colonial-era religious art, including altars, paintings, sculptures, and silver liturgical objects dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Many of these pieces were salvaged from other churches in Panama City and interior regions, offering insight into the artistic traditions, religious practices, and craftsmanship of the Spanish colonial period.
11) Plaza de Francia (France Square)
France Square commemorates the French effort to build the Panama Canal in the late 19th century and features statues, plaques, and large stone tablets that recount this ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful undertaking.
At the center of the square, rising from a circular platform, stands a monument honoring the thousands of workers who died during the French canal attempt, including the ones from Martinique and Guadeloupe islands. Most fatalities were caused by yellow fever and malaria, diseases that devastated the workforce and contributed significantly to the project’s collapse. The commonly cited figure of around 20,000 deaths reflects historical estimates rather than an exact count.
Another prominent feature, along the seaward edge of the square, directly facing the Pacific Ocean, is the monument to Dr. Carlos J. Finlay, the Cuban physician who identified mosquitoes as the vector for yellow fever transmission. Although his discovery was not immediately accepted, it later became central to disease-control measures implemented during the American canal effort. These advances dramatically reduced mortality rates in Panama and played a key role in making the canal’s completion possible.
Running along the eastern side of the square, built into the old city walls below the promenade level, is the The Vaults Promenade, a series of 18th-century stone vaults built into the old city walls. Originally constructed by the Spanish for storage and military purposes, some vaults were later used as prison cells. Today, the arched chambers house shops, galleries, and cafes, while much of the original masonry remains visible.
At the center of the square, rising from a circular platform, stands a monument honoring the thousands of workers who died during the French canal attempt, including the ones from Martinique and Guadeloupe islands. Most fatalities were caused by yellow fever and malaria, diseases that devastated the workforce and contributed significantly to the project’s collapse. The commonly cited figure of around 20,000 deaths reflects historical estimates rather than an exact count.
Another prominent feature, along the seaward edge of the square, directly facing the Pacific Ocean, is the monument to Dr. Carlos J. Finlay, the Cuban physician who identified mosquitoes as the vector for yellow fever transmission. Although his discovery was not immediately accepted, it later became central to disease-control measures implemented during the American canal effort. These advances dramatically reduced mortality rates in Panama and played a key role in making the canal’s completion possible.
Running along the eastern side of the square, built into the old city walls below the promenade level, is the The Vaults Promenade, a series of 18th-century stone vaults built into the old city walls. Originally constructed by the Spanish for storage and military purposes, some vaults were later used as prison cells. Today, the arched chambers house shops, galleries, and cafes, while much of the original masonry remains visible.
Walking Tours in Panama City, Panama
Create Your Own Walk in Panama City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Panama City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Tour
Caught between the lush green mountains and the ocean, the capital of Panama is a concentration of colors and styles. The evidence of Spanish influence is still vivid in the colonial landmarks, especially religious sites.
For centuries, colonial religious architecture has played an important role in the configuration of the urban layout of Panama City. By the 17th century, convents had an... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
For centuries, colonial religious architecture has played an important role in the configuration of the urban layout of Panama City. By the 17th century, convents had an... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
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