| Casco Viejo is located at the mouth of the | | | | as 300 years.Up until the early parts of this |
| Panama Canal and it is the oldest city on the | | | | century, Casco Viejo remained a thriving |
| Pacific Coast of the America: it was there | | | | cultural center. But as Panama City |
| long before the Canal was built. In fairness | | | | modernized and as the automotive age made |
| to history, the original Panama City (now | | | | transportation easier, it spread outward, |
| known as Old Panama or Panama La Vieja) was | | | | leaving Casco Viejo behind. The old city's |
| founded in 1519, about two miles from the | | | | narrow labyrinth streets were difficult for |
| center of Panama City as we know it today. | | | | cars to maneuver and its buildings were |
| From here, expeditions were mounted to | | | | obsolete in comparison to modern skyscrapers |
| conquer the Inca Empire of South America and | | | | being built. By the mid 1900s, Casco Viejo |
| all of the wealth pillaged from Peru, Chile | | | | had gone the way of most city centers of that |
| and California flowed to Spain through Old | | | | century. No longer the center of Panama |
| Panama. It is no surprise that this booty | | | | City, it was too oppressed for the upper |
| attracted pirates like Henry Morgan, who | | | | class and quickly became a poor area of |
| looted the city in 1671.During Morgan's | | | | tenement-style housing.In 1997, UNESCO |
| attack, this original Panama City was burned | | | | declared Casco Viejo a Patrimony of Humanity, |
| to the ground. Two years later, in 1673, the | | | | a World Heritage site. Today, it is revered |
| capital was moved two miles to the west and | | | | as the historic center of Panama City. Two- |
| present-day Panama City was founded. This is | | | | and three-story houses with flower-adorned |
| the area now known as Casco Viejo. As the | | | | balconies overlook narrow streets. At its |
| city was being rebuilt by the Spanish | | | | tip is French Park, where you will find the |
| settlers, they decided to build a massive | | | | French Embassy and a monument to the hardy |
| surrounding wall and a stronger fortress for | | | | French builders who began the Panama Canal. |
| its protection and to ensure that the | | | | On one side is an historical Spanish building |
| enormous wealth in gold and silver that | | | | called Las Bovedas, now housing an art |
| passed through it would never again be | | | | gallery and French restaurant.Close by is the |
| susceptible to the likes of Henry Morgan.The | | | | Museum of National History and across the way |
| new city boasted a cross-sectioned design of | | | | is the National Cathedral. Nearby is a small |
| 38 blocks, with three main streets running | | | | museum dedicated to religious art, found in |
| from east to west and seven streets running | | | | the old Santo Domingo monastery. This is |
| from north to south. Unfortunately, this | | | | where you will find the famous Flat Arch, |
| urban development was interrupted by various | | | | which reportedly helped convince engineers |
| fires that devastated its streets. In 1737, | | | | that Panama was earthquake-proof and a |
| the "big fire" destroyed two thirds of the | | | | geologically stable area for building the |
| city and the "small fire" of 1756 destroyed | | | | Canal. A few blocks away is the old San Jose |
| more than 90 houses. These and other | | | | Cathedral, with gleaming spires inlaid with |
| catastrophic fires help explain why so few | | | | mother-of-pearl and its beautiful gold altar, |
| true examples of Spanish colonial | | | | intricately carved of wood and gilded with |
| architecture exist today.The fortress still | | | | gold. This is a must-see when you visit |
| survives, though and today houses several | | | | Casco Viejo.To finish off your day in Panama |
| important, cultural and historic buildings | | | | in style, make your way to The Bristol Hotel, |
| and monuments. But it is the architecture of | | | | just a short taxi journey from Casco Viejo. |
| Casco Viejo that makes it so special. The | | | | Dining at the Barandas Restaurant at The |
| old Spanish colonial style is overlaid with | | | | Bristol Hotel is an event to savor. The |
| French balconies and architecture, remnants | | | | Panamanian-inspired gourmet cuisine, restful |
| of the French inhabitants who made the | | | | ambiance, stunning presentation, elegant |
| initial attempt to build the Panama Canal in | | | | settings and attentive service combine to |
| 1881. Over the years, a Caribbean influence | | | | create an unforgettable dining experience. |
| also took hold and, today, Casco Viejo is a | | | | Make sure to finish off the day with a drink |
| melting pot of architectural inspiration and | | | | in the elegant dark wood bar. |
| style, with some buildings dating as far back | | | | |