Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
gathering
, organized by Bolívar, aimed at unifying the newly independent Latin American
countries in their relations with Spain. Although “El Libertador” (The Liberator) failed to at-
tend the congress, and his dreams of unity ultimately foundered, it was considered a historic
event.
Palacio Bolívar and the Salón Bolívar
East side of Plaza Bolívar • Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm • Free
The
Palacio Bolívar
, whose impressive peach and white facade extends along the eastern
edge of the square, is well worth a peek inside.
Having served as part of a convent, military barracks and a school at various times, the
building now houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among other government offices. It has
also been beautifully restored, providing the courtyard - the
Plaza de los Libertadores
-
with a magnificent translucent roof allowing in lots of natural light. From a raised platform at
the far side a bronze bust of the visionary Liberator looks on. To the right as you enter is the
Salón Bolívar
, formerly the chapter house of a Franciscan monastery where the Amphyc-
tionic Congress took place, and now a small museum. It contains a replica of the Liberator's
gold ceremonial sword, encrusted with over a thousand diamonds, and the congress's original
documents.
Iglesia San Felipe de Neri
Corner of Plaza Bolívar, at Av “B” and C 4 • Daily 7am-7pm • Free
After being closed for a number of years, first for restoration and then on account of a dispute
within the diocese, the airy vaults of
Iglesia San Felipe de Neri
are finally open to the public.
Built in 1688 it was one of the earliest churches; it has served as a shrine to the cathedral and
then, much later, as a children's home and orphanage.
Teatro Nacional
Eastern end of Av “B” • Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm • $1 • 262 3525
The handsome
Teatro Nacional
was one of the first grand national buildings to be commis-
sioned by the newly independent state; it was built on the site of a former convent and de-
signed by Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri. The magnificent Italianate Neoclassical edifice
opened its doors to the public in 1908 to initial success but the global depression of the 1930s
brought a slump in the venue's fortunes, and it became a cinema for a while before falling into
neglect. Extensively restored in the early 1970s, the theatre reopened in 1974 with a perform-
ance by Margot Fonteyn, the British ballerina and long-term Panama resident, whose bronze
bust adorns the foyer, alongside that of Roberto Lewis, whose allegorical frescoes depicting
the birth of the nation can be seen on the vaulted ceiling. The building was renovated again in
the early 2000s, and it's well worth paying the $1 entry to poke around the splendid Baroque
interior, though finding the building open can be a challenge. One of the best ways to enjoy
