Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This esplanade runs along the top of the sea wall built by the Spanish to protect the city.
From here, you can see the Puente de las Américas arching over the waterway and the
ships lining up to enter the canal.
Palacio de las Garzas
HISTORIC BUILDING
(Presidential Palace; Av Alfaro)
The Palacio de las Garzas is named after the great white her-
ons that reside here. The president of Panama lives on the upper floor.
Club de Clases y Tropas
RUIN
(Antiguo Club Union; Calle 1a Oeste)
This abandoned ruin was once the favorite hangout of
General Noriega, though it was virtually destroyed during the 1989 US invasion. Some
fresh paint was selectively applied in early 2000, when scenes from the movie
The Tailor
of Panama
were filmed here. Now it occassionally hosts raves and club events.
Parque Bolívar
PLAZA
In 1826, in a schoolroom opposite this park, Simón Bolívar held a meeting urging the
union of the Latin American countries. Bolívar eventually succeeded in liberating
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, united as Gran Colombia. Although
unable to keep Gran Colombia together, he is nonetheless venerated as a hero throughout
Latin America.
Museo de Arte Religioso Colonial
MUSEUM
(Museum of Colonial Religious Art; 228-2897; cnr Av A & Calle 3; admission US$1; 8am-4pm
Tue-Sat)
Housed beside the ruins of the Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo, the Museo
de Arte Religioso Colonial has a collection of colonial-era religious artifacts, some dat-
ing from the 16th century.
Just inside the ruins' doorway, the Arco Chato is a long arch that had stood here un-
supported for centuries. It even played a part in the selection of Panama over Nicaragua
as the site for the canal since its survival was taken as proof that the area was not subject
to earthquakes. It collapsed in 2003 but has since been rebuilt.
Museo del Canal Interoceánico
MUSEUM
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
