Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
POP 5900
A quintessential Azuero town, Villa de Los Santos is where Panama's first move toward
independence from Spain began on November 10, 1821. Residents now honor their
freedom-fighting ancestors by hosting truly wild parties. The Los Santos calendar does
not skimp on celebrations; on the contrary, its busy itinerary of local and national holi-
days makes it one entertaining destination.
Aside from its festivals, Los Santos boasts colonial structures dating back to the early
days of the Spanish settlers. It is also home to a noteworthy museum dedicated to
Panamanian independence as well as one of the country's most magnificent churches.
Sights
Museo de la Nacionalidad
MUSEUM
(Calle José Vallarino; adult/child US$1/0.25; 9am-4:30pm Tue-Sat, to 1pm Sun)
This modest
museum, opposite Plaza Simón Bolívar, occupies the former house where Panama's De-
claration of Independence was signed in 1821, declared here 18 days before the national
declaration. Pre-Columbian ceramics and colonial-era religious art comprise most of the
exhibits, and there's also a lovely garden courtyard.
Over the years, this handsome brick-and-tile residence served as a jail, a school and a
legislature. It predates the town's church, but no one knows exactly when it was built.
Iglesia de San Atanacio
CHURCH
This church was granted national monument status by the government in 1938 and is
truly a national treasure. Alongside Plaza Simón Bolívar, the church opened its doors to
the public in 1782 after nearly nine years of construction. It's a fine example of the
baroque style, with lots of intricately carved wood depicting cherubs, saints, Jesus and
the Virgin.
Almost everything is original, and some objects even predate the structure itself. The
12m arch in front of the altar, for example, bears its date of manufacture (1733) and the
names of its two creators. The altar is made of mahogany and rosewood and is covered
nearly from base to top in gold leaf. In a glass sepulcher in front of the altar is a life-size
wooden statue of Christ that is carried through the streets of Villa de Los Santos on Good
Friday, behind a candlelit procession.
Carlos Ivan de Leon
GALLERY
( 966-9149; Calle Tomas Herrera; noon-1pm & 6-10pm)
Master mask maker Carlos Ivan
de Leon makes the most elaborate and frightening masks in Panama at his house near
