Cathedral ruins by junge1

Photography • Historical • posted on Dec 01, 2011

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Description

These ruins are of the belltower of the cathedral in Panama Viejo, the first capital of Panama. Panama Viejo was founded 15 August 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila and 100 other inhabitants: at the time it was the first permanent settlement on the Pacific Ocean, substituting the two cities of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien and Acla. Two years later, in 1521 , the settlement was elevated to the status of city by a royal decree and was given a coat of arms by Charles V of Spain. Shortly after its creation the city became a starting point for various expeditions to Peru and an important base where gold and silver were sent to Spain. In 1539 and 1563 the city suffered some fires which destroyed parts of it but did not harm the city's development. In 1610 the city reached a population of 5,000, with 500 houses and some convents and chapels, a hospital and a cathedral. On 2 May 1620, an earthquake damaged many buildings in the city. On 21 February 1644 the Great Fire destroyed 83 religious buildings, including the cathedral. At this time there were 8,000 people living in the city. In 1670, the city had 10,000 inhabitants. On 28 January 1671, the Welsh privateer Henry Morgan attacked the city with 1,400 men marching from the Caribbean coast across the jungle. Morgan's force defeated the city's militia then proceeded to sack Panama. Either Morgan and his army started a fire that burned the city or the Captain General Don Juan Perez de Guzman ordered the gunpowder magazines exploded. Either way, the resulting fire destroyed the city. Morgan's attack caused the loss of thousands of lives and Panama had to be rebuilt a few kilometers to the west on a new site (Wikipedia). The original location of Panama Viejo is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by the City of Panama. This picture is of the tower of the cathedral. This picture was taken on 19 July 2011, Sig...

Comments (25)

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auntietk

1:59AM | Thu, 01 December 2011

Oh man. What a fascinating place that must be! Thanks for the history. I'm sure in 350 years my house will not still be here.

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renecyberdoc

2:24AM | Thu, 01 December 2011

december bday update 03 Junge1 "Siggy" 09 Mmax.ch-Max 14 UteBigSmile - Ute 19 coolcatcom George 24 Rainastorm - Rose 27 Savage_dragon - Angel 27 Mkeyes -Mercedes heheheh update!!!!!!!!!!!!

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bazza

3:19AM | Thu, 01 December 2011

Lovely shot and contrast between it and the new buildings going up behind.. Some of the corner brick work looks quite new compared to the rest of the buildings!! Great info too!!

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jayfar

3:20AM | Thu, 01 December 2011

I know which tower buiding I'd rather have!! The Welsh have a lot to answer for!!

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Feliciti

5:08AM | Thu, 01 December 2011

so many history !!impressive place !!

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junge1

7:53AM | Thu, 01 December 2011

This building is being worked on!

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debbielove

8:01AM | Thu, 01 December 2011

Reminds me Cairo.. An image built on lies.. Portrait airbrushed images showing the Pyramids surrounds by sweeping dunes, and the Sphinx has a view of a pizza hut, within a stones throw! A road drives straight between the pyramids, all around are hotels and houses.. There is no sweeping sands.. nowhere.. a shame.. and so, here as well a shame.. an impressive old building, that should be totally preserved, kept apart, is surrounded by those things behind (and no doubt on all sides!) A fine shot none the less Sig, mate! Rob

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