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