Old Panama City: Panamá Viejo (Spanish), also known as Panamá la Vieja, is the remaining part of the original Panama City, the former capital of Panama, which was destroyed in 1671 by the Welsh privateer Henry Morgan. It is located in the suburbs of the current capital. Together with the historical district of Panama, it has been a World Heritage Site since 1997. Let us tell you what you should know about old Panama City and why it is a place you should absolutely visit if you come to Panama.
What is Old Panama City?
Panama la Vieja or Panama Viejo is the name given to the archaeological site where the city of Panama was located from its foundation in 1519 until 1671. Its first name was Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá. The city was moved to a new location, some ten kilometers to the southwest, when it was destroyed after an attack by the English pirate Henry Morgan in the early 1670s. Considered the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of America, today several ruins remain that make up this archaeological site. It is often mistaken with the colonial quarter of Panama (Casco Viejo = Old Town Panama) but it is located in the total opposite side of the city.
Brief history of Old Panama City
Old Panama City was probably doomed from the beginning. Despite the development achieved, the conditions of the place were not the best. The scarcity of drinking water was one of the main difficulties, which forced its inhabitants to build several wells and cisterns. The city was hit by at least three devastating fires and by an earthquake in 1621. It was also besieged on several occasions by pirates. The worst of these sieges was the one commanded by the British pirate Henry Morgan, who arrived on January 28th, 1671 and remained there until February 24th. It was the Spaniards themselves, by order of Governor Juan Pérez de Guzmán, and not Morgan, who destroyed the city by blowing up the explosives depots.
In search of a new location, which would allow the construction of a better defensive system, the city was moved to a nearby peninsula, located about ten kilometers to the southwest, in what is now considered the Casco Antiguo of Panama City. The original site was abandoned for several years, until its ruins were gradually recovered.
Old Panama City is different from Casco Viejo the historical colonial quarter of Panama City
How to get to Old Panama City
From the airport:
Take a taxi to the old city for about $15 USD or you can take the bus for around $1.50 USD. Taxis are available outside on your right as soon as you exit customs/immigration and outside in front of baggage claim.
From the cruise terminal:
You can take a local bus that leaves from in front of your ship and takes about an hour to get to old Panama, or you can take a taxi, which costs $25 USD but only takes 20 minutes.
From anywhere in the city:
Let us take care of yourself, we could pick you up in your hotel, a restaurant or wherever you are and not just show you Old Panama City but a whole city tour just for you.
What to do in Old Panama City?
There’s so much to see in these ruins, but it is ideal to visit it with an experienced tourist guide who will explain to you the importance of each site. The must-see places are the following ones:
Convento de la Concepción
Cisterna
Museo de la Plaza Mayor
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y su Torre
Old Panama City is a great place to spend the day. The city is full of history and culture, but there are also plenty of things to do. If you’re looking for something fun and different, then this is where you should go!
Visiting Old Panama is a must, during your visit to Panama City. You’ll be able to see some of the oldest buildings and streets, still intact from when the city was first settled.
So remember, when you are ready to visit the city, with a certified bilingual tour guide, who can really show you the beauties of this marvelous city of Panama, just click here and Tour Now will send you a guide right away.
Let us take care of you.
