Casco Viejo: A Deeper Look

Next to Panama Canal that undoubtedly defines Panama in whole, there is one place that remains as the seat of culture and history in Panama that amazes many tourists upon coming over.

Casco Viejo, or otherwise called as El Casco or San Felipe is a fascinating old community found at Panama City. This community is better known to be the historic district of the city proved by its centuries old infrastructures that witnessed notable moments in Panama's past that are still standing as of today. It is a must for every visitor here to come and experience the classic Panamanian life and take a look at the richness of its past that brought out the best in it at the present. And by the way, this was proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site way back in 1997.

Flying Back

The golden story of Casco Viejo started some centuries back, in the year 1673 when it was built as a response to the devastation of the old Panama City known as Panama Viejo. The destruction of this old city in 1671 created a need for its settlers to construct a new place that will protect them from future attacks, and thus resulted to the construction of Casco viejo in a peninsula protected by walls and reefs that prevented future adversaries. This in turn preserved the beautifully architectured buildings and the community as a whole and now became a world-acclaimed heritage site praised by most travellers and is considered as where everything started. At present, this vibrant community houses a mixture of everything every foreigner looks after--new and old, local and foreign.

Just come and experience for yourself just how the Panamanian ancestors created such a wonderful refuge that will surely top your list of Panama tours. 

Going Here and There

Make your precious time count and move from one attraction to another. Here are some of the most visited places at Casco Viejo that you must look forward to:

NATIONAL THEATER (Teatro Nacional). Inaugurated in the year 1908, this world-class theater though undergone series of damages still remains as one of Casco Viejo's finest. Come inside an old world theater and watch amazing performances that are more embellished by frecos on the ceiling made by a famous Panamanian artist.

PRESIDENTIAL PALACE. Also known as Palacio de las Garzas due to African herons that are given as a gift way back in the 13th century. This palace was built in the 17th century and is closed to the public. However, your luck of coming inside to take a sneek peak depends on the guard that is posted outside.

ESTEBAN HUERTAS PROMENADE. Take a walk in this promenade as you reflect on the beauty of Panama City bay and sense the coolness of the breeze from the ocean nearby.

PLAZA FRANCIA. This was once the main square of the walled city where the Instituto Nacional de Cultura and French Embassy are located. Take a nice walk and reminisce the construction of the popular Panama Canal as this plaza was built in dedication to this and to those people who offered lives just to build Panama;s landmark.