Dec 22, 2008

The Original Panama City

You are looking at what remains of the original Panama City. One of the cons of being a geographically desirable isthmus with the Atlantic on one side and the Caribbean on the other is the threat of plundering pirates.

Founded in the 1500s by the conquistador Pedro Arias de Avila the city was sacked in the 1670s by Welsh pirate Henry Morgan. The city consisted mainly of wood structures and was burned to the ground. The tower you see pictured is the remains of a cathedral. After the destruction the city was moved a few miles away to what is now Casco Viejo, which I will post on in the coming weeks.

Panama La Vieja, also known as Panama Viejo, is open every day except Monday from 8:30-6:30 p.m. Admission to the site is $4 and $2 more to enter the museum.

5 comments:

Lakshmi said...

love these kinda places..feel good to discover a piece of lost history

GMG said...

Hi Wendy! Sorry for the absence, but these last weeks were a nightmare. Just dropped by to wish you a great holiday season! Hope to be back before 2009... ;) Merry Christmas!
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is starting its new adventure in India. Enjoy and have a great week!

Ms.N said...

hi!

i just dropped by your blog through several other travel blogs. lovely blog - I like how you spin a story around a single small theme.

the panama hats were nice. so was the hongkong street shot.

happy travelling...

kristine said...

Panama City looks so nice. I cant wait to go in March. I might come back to you for some tips!!

Wendy said...

Lakshmi, I love them as well.

Gil, Hope your next few weeks are easier.

Ms. N, Thank you and glad you made your way here.

Kristine, E-mail me any time.