Panama: Much More Than the Canal, a Land of History, Culture and Faith
Did you visit Panama and, like so many before you, decide that this was the place where you wished to spend the rest of your life? It is natural to ask: what else makes Panama extraordinary beyond its world-renowned Canal?
Panama possesses an extraordinary historical tapestry that enchants visitors and residents alike. From the haunting ruins of Panamá Viejo—the first European city founded on the Pacific coast of the Americas in 1519, sacked by privateer Sir Henry Morgan in 1671—to the romantic cobblestone alleys of Casco Antiguo (San Felipe), Panama’s heritage is rich in maritime lore, Spanish colonial architecture, and deep spiritual traditions.
The First Church on the American Mainland (1513)
Did you know that on Panamanian soil in 1510 was founded Santa María la Antigua del Darién, which in 1513 was officially decreed as the very first Catholic diocese and cathedral on the continental mainland of the Americas? This milestone established Panama as the geographic and spiritual gateway of the New World, from where historical expeditions departed to discover the Pacific Ocean and explore South America.
The Miraculous Black Christ of Portobelo
On Colón’s Caribbean coast lies the fortified port town of Portobelo, guarded by coral-stone battlements that withstood assaults by corsairs such as Sir Francis Drake (who remains buried in leaden repose in Portobelo’s bay). Inside the church of San Juan de Dios rests the venerable, deeply moving statue of the Nazareno, or Black Christ of Portobelo (El Cristo Negro).
Legend tells that the life-sized statue arrived in the late 17th century encased in a wooden crate discovered floating in the Caribbean waters after storm waters repeatedly prevented ships from carrying it onward. Ever since, every October 21st, over sixty thousand pilgrims from every stratum of society make their way on foot to Portobelo to give thanks for miraculous healings and life-changing favors.
A Peaceful Melting Pot of Tolerant Faiths
Panama is also an inspiring model of interfaith harmony and cosmopolitan respect. Within a compact radius in Panama City, centuries-old Catholic cathedrals, historic Jewish synagogues, one of Central America’s largest mosques, and the Latin American Bahá'í Temple stand in mutual neighborly coexistence.
That warmth, safety, and mutual respect are the true foundation that causes foreign investors and expatriates to fall in love with our country. Come and get to know Panama: it is living history, vibrant biodiversity, and a proud, welcoming people.