Panamá Viejo
Panamá Viejo | |
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Location | Panama City, Panama |
Coordinates | 9°00′20″N 79°29′09″W / 9.00556°N 79.48583°W |
Founded | 1519 |
Latin America and the Caribbean | |
Panamá Viejo (English: "Old Panama"), 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 Panamá, it has been a World Heritage Site since 1997.[1]
History
A settlement was founded on August 15, 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila and another 100 inhabitants. At the time, it was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Ocean, replacing the two cities of Santa María la Antigua del Darién and Acla. Two years later, in 1521, the settlement was promoted to the status of city by a royal decree and was given a coat of arms by Charles V of Spain, forming a new cabildo. Shortly after its creation the city became a starting point for various expeditions in Peru and an important base where gold and silver were sent to Spain.
From 1520 some Genoese merchants ruled the commerce of Old Panama (Panamá Viejo) on the Pacific Ocean for a century, thanks to a concession given by the Spaniards, who had the Republic of Genoa as allies.[2]
Between 1586 and 1587 already there were 11
In 1539 and 1563, the city suffered a number of fires which destroyed parts of it but did not impede the city's development. In 1610, the city reached a population of 5,000, with 500 houses, as well as convents, chapels, a hospital and a cathedral.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the city was attacked several times by
In 1670, the city counted 10,000 inhabitants. On 28 January 1671, in response to intelligence that the colonies of New Spain were gathering forces to attack Jamaica, the
Henry Morgan was arrested but, after proving he knew nothing of the recently completed Treaty of Madrid which ended hostilities between England and Spain, was subsequently freed and later rewarded.
UNESCO added Panamá Viejo to the World Heritage list in 1997. [1] It justified its inclusion on the grounds that the site is the "oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the Pacific coast of the Americas."[3]
Popular culture
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the Pit Stop of the 19th season of The Amazing Race.[4]
The reward feast from a reward challenge in the 7th season of the CBS show Survivor was held at this place.[5]
Gallery
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View from the Bell Tower to Costa del Este.
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Ruins of the Concepción nuns' convent
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Ruins
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Distant view of old Panama Cathedral
References
- ^ a b Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- ^ Casa de los Genoveses- Sitio Arqueológico de Panamá Viejo Archived 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- ^ Beard, Lamford (December 5, 2011). "The Amazing Race recap: 'We Are Charlie Chaplin (Panama City)'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
- ^ "SURVIVOR THE COMPLETE CHALLENGE GUIDE" (PDF). David A. Bindley. Retrieved December 31, 2019.