The History of Casco Antiguo (Casco Viejo)

In 1673, within two years after the devastatingand depict the Birth of the Republic, which took
attack by Henry Morgan, Panamá Antiguaplace in El Casco Antiguo in 1903.
was relocated west to the present day locationThe Metropolitan Cathedral (La Catedral
of Casco Antiguo. This was done by governorMetropolitana) on La Plaza Mayor displays two
Don Antonio Fernandez de Cordoba y Mendoza,distinct architectural styles - Colonial and
on orders of the King of Spain to protect hisNeoclassical and its belfries are covered with
interests, to what is known today as El CascoMother of pearl veneer which are said to
Antiguo (also called Casco Viejo) in the district ofrepresent the marine riches of Panama.
San Felipe.There are several museums in the area: the
From 1673 to 1910 the city suffered manyNational History Museum, The Soldier's Cape of
changes and influences of architectural style,lndependence, and the Museum of Religious Art
although it's remains are predominantly neoclassic.(Museo de Historia, La Capa del Soldado de
Throughout El Casco Antiguo a variety of stylesIndependencia and the Museo de Arte Religioso).
can be appreciated, primarily Spanish, French andAlong A Avenue or Avenida Rodolfo Chiari, the
Italian, the latter seen mostly in public buildings.first university of the lsthmus of Panama - La
Towards the beginning of this century the ItalianCompañía de Jesus or Universidad
architect Genaro Ruggieri was hired to design andJaveriana and the Church of San José can
build the Municipal Palace, the Governmentalbe found, the latter contains Panama's famous
Palace, the Supreme Court and the Nationalgolden altar.
Instituto (El Palacio Municipal, El Palacio de GobiemoAlong the coastline of El Casco Antiguo one
y Justicia, La Corte Suprema de Justicia and Elcomes across a beautiful vaulted promenade
Instituto Nacional. All are located in San Felipe withknown as Las Bóvedas. This walkway is
exception of the National Instituto which is furtherdivided into three sections: El Paseo General
along its perimeter in Santa Ana.Estéban Huertas the tunnel of the
A fine example of Spanish architecture is thebougainvillea's, La Punta de Chiriquí-the
Presidential Palace or Presidencia de la Republicaviewing point, and the French Plaza (La Plaza de
which was also known as "the house on theFrancia) -in homage to those who built the Canal.
marina" (La Casa de la Marina). The main MoorishIn addition to these monuments - a number of old
style courtyard contains a fountain and ishouses and other attractions can be found in the
continuously filled with herons to the extent thatdowntown district. The ancient settlement of
this palace is also known by the name of its pastCasco Antiguo, now called Casco Viejo, holds a lot
- El Palacio de Las Garzas.of prospect for the real estate industry. A range
The National Theater (El Teatro Nacional whichof sophisticated Panama hotels has cropped up
previously housed the Old Convent of Nuns, waswithin a span of few years. No wonder, the rich
inaugurated in 1908 with the presentation ofhistory of this place has contributed to this
Verdi's Opera Aida. The frescoes throughout thisunprecedented growth.
building are by the national artist Roberto Lewis