Cathedral of Old Panama (Catedral de Panama Viejo) description and photos - Panama: Panama (Topic)

Cathedral of Old Panama (Catedral de Panama Viejo) description and photos - Panama: Panama. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Catedral de Panama Viejo.

Photo and description

The Metropolitan Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Antigua, is located in the historical part of Panama City. Its construction lasted more than a hundred years: it began in 1688 and ended in 1796. It is said that the decision to build a Catholic cathedral in the city ravaged by pirates subordinate to Henry Morgan was made to emphasize the strength and power of the Catholic Church, and to announce to the townspeople about the revival of the capital of Panama.

During the time elapsed from the beginning to the end of the construction of the cathedral, fashionable trends in architecture have changed. Therefore, the central facade of the temple and its bell tower were erected in different architectural styles, which is noticeable even to a non-specialist. The vault of the cathedral rests on 67 stone and brick pillars. Luxurious stained-glass windows and bronze lamps are considered the decoration of the Cathedral. The main altar was designed during the construction of the Panama Canal by craftsmen who came to the Caribbean from France.

Under the cathedral there is an extensive network of tunnels, through which it was possible in a short time to reach any sacred structure of Old Panama. Now walking through the catacombs is impossible, because most of the passages have collapsed.

The two towers framing the central facade are painted white and decorated with shells brought from the Las Perlas islands. The bell towers are 36 meters high. You can climb them to enjoy the panorama of the Old Town. The towers differ from each other, as the right bell tower was destroyed during the tremors of 1821. Later it was rebuilt but at the same time slightly modified.

We also recommend reading Jesuit Church of the Virgin Mary (Kosciol Matki Bozej Laskawej) description and photos - Poland: Warsaw

Topic: Cathedral of Old Panama (Catedral de Panama Viejo) description and photos - Panama: Panama.