Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the provincial capital of Las Tablas is a modest town, though it possesses a sprinkling of the
necessary amenities to satisfy a passing tourist, as well as an attractive
church
and a small
museum
, dedicated to Belisario Porras, three-time president and Las Tablas's most famous
citizen. Besides these, the only other building of note in town is the
Escuela Presidente
Porras
, with a smart maroon-and-cream exterior, and a distinctive clock tower and majestic
portal. Built in 1924, this immaculately kept state school possesses high ceilings, large win-
dows and beautiful louvered shutters.
Most business in Las Tablas is conducted along the two main streets, Avenida 8 de
Noviembre (also Av Carlos López) and Avenida Belisario Porras, which converge in the leafy
main plaza
- the vortex of the maelstrom that is Carnaval but at any other time a tranquil
shady spot to enjoy a snow-cone or ice cream.
Brief history
Spanish nobles apparently founded the town in 1671; having fled Panamá Viejo after its sack-
ing by pirate Henry Morgan, they were swept by fierce winds onto the shores of the Azuero.
Here - so the story goes - among a pile of stones and bathed in light, an image of the
Virgen
de Santa Librada
appeared before them as a statue, which they interpreted as a sign that
their new settlement should be established on that very spot. Santa Librada, unsurprisingly,
was adopted as the patron saint. The name Las Tablas is thought to have derived from the
planks (
tablas
) salvaged from the ships and used to construct the initial houses.
Iglesia de Santa Librada
Parque Belisario Porras • Free
The
Iglesia de Santa Librada
overlooks Parque Belisario Porras with a figurine of the patron
saint set at the facade's apex. The magnificent golden altar, which suffers from an overdose
of pale-faced cherubs, illuminates the otherwise pedestrian interior though look out for the
