Panama Real Estate Blog

The New Orleans French quarter of Panama, the area has architecture pertaining to the Spanish occupation, the French when they came to dig the canal and the American architecture that came to successfully complete the canal. The area is also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe, and it offers sites and sounds of a culturally diverse and vibrant city, rich with heritage. From the red brick paved roads to the overlapping architectural styles and buildings. The history and diversity is reflected in the identity of this unique city.

The area has undergone a radical revitalization programme and has established itself as a successful urban region with the various tax incentives implemented by the government. Although certain areas are still under reconstruction the authorities have provided special Tourist Police to assist the tourist in areas to visit and which areas to avoid.

Casco Viejo was established to enable the locals to better protect it from the raiding pirates and privateers, and consists of illustrious historical and scenic elements. It is the oldest Pacific coast city of the Americas. Most of Panama’s monuments are located in this age old district. The Canal Museum is located in this centre, and offers insight into the many trials and setbacks endured and overcome during the construction of this technological marvel.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the Spanish Architectural marvels, which has the plaza, known as Plaza de la Independencia or Parque cathedral, located in front of it where Panama declared its independence from Colombia in 1903. The Compania de Jesus Covenant is located at the fringe of the park, which was built in 1673 and burned down in 1781 – never to be rebuilt. The Plaza Francia is a touching memorial to the Frenchmen who died trying to build the canal in the 1880s. For the ardent shopper the Plaza Santa Ana is a hive of activity and absolutely anything can be bought at this market.

Other monuments in the Casco Viejo include the founded in 1908, the Salon Bolivar – a tribute to El Libertador and the home to the original golden altar rescued from the old site and bought to the new Casco Viejo, housed at Iglesia San Jose. The Paseo Las Bovedas, or promenade of vaults offereing a walk out on the old Spanish sea wall that juts out into the ocean; the  Palacio de las Garzas or Heron’s Palace are actually inhabited by Herrons, and these wonderful and interesting landmarks are all located in Casco Viejo.

Casco Viejo was designated a World Heritage site in 1998, and along with the title is an example to the world of urban revitalization as it offers the best examples of collaboration between Government, private companies and the local community. Together with this the authorities have established an oversight committee protecting and categorizing the architectural designs within this culturally historic area.

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