What we know as Panama City today is actually the 3rd city built in the past 500 years. The original city was settled by the Spanish in 1519, northeast of the current city. It was destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. There are still some ruins visible where the original city once stood.
Several years later another Panama City was built, this time southwest of the current city in what is know as Casco Viejo. The peninsula location gave it better defense against invading pirates and the many of the original structures are still standing today.
The canal brought growth and wealth to Panama, and as the city continued to prosper it expanded to its current location and the easily recognizable skyline of skyscrapers rising up from the Pacific Ocean.
Casco Viejo fell in importance as the rich moved to the new city. Casco Viejo became better know for crime and poverty. Things are changing now, in 2003 it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many of the properties have been restored to their original condition.
It is an interesting place to visit and certainly worth part of a day to explore. The contrast between old and new and rich and poor is stark, and these contrasts combined with the beauty of the architecture and the Pacific as the backdrop is a splendid treat for the senses.
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by Sean
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