 The first Spanish city of Panama on the shores of the Pacific Ocean relocated to the Casco Antiguo in 1671 after being attacked by the forces of Henry Morgan - the English pirate - who was knighted for this infamous deed. The Spanish Empire could not give up such an important strategic and commercial base located as it was in the narrowest part of the Continent, from where indigenous empires had been conquered and an entire colony had grown successfully. Therefore, the city was relocated to a peninsula protected by the sea on three sides, although this was not considered enough, and a wall was built to surround it. Pirates never again dared attack it.
In this place, dedicated to San Felipe, history was written on the buildings throughout the centuries, just as a writer fills blank pages. The Spaniards left a great cathedral which, at the time, was the tallest building in Central America , as well as other interesting churches and convents. They also left behind an urban lay-out which begins at the Plaza Mayor with streets radiating out towards each compass point, following the outline of a giant chessboard. The city’s importance grew through the centuries, and following ’s independence from in 1821, the Isthmus joined , thus fulfilling the wishes of Simon Bolivar, the Liberator.
The arrival of the French followed by the Americans, who also wished to build an Interoceanic canal, brought new architectural styles and led to the arrival of people from every part of the world. This gave the neighborhood a particular flavor, planting the seeds for the birth of a nation, and of the folklore of the city and the old neighborhood.
The balconies of every building are true works of art due to the ornate design of their railings. Once upon a time, these balconies occupied an important place in every home as families would gather there in the evenings to greet passers-by and to adorn them with flowers, particularly with bougainvilleas, a custom which is still followed today.
The neighborhood of San Felipe became the capital of the Republic of Panama when, in 1903, the country separated from Colombia and signed a treaty with the United States to complete the excavation and construction of the Panama Canal, the “eighth wonder of the world”, thus confirming the wisdom of the choice of this location for the city. At that time, public buildings in the neo-Classical style were built, increasing the charm and adding prestige to the area.
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