Panamá District

Churches in Distrito de Panamá

Historic Churches

Panama City's Casco Viejo houses a significant collection of colonial religious architecture. This list includes the Metropolitan Cathedral with its mother-of-pearl towers and the Church of San José, home to the Baroque Golden Altar saved from pirate raids. You will also find the ruins of the 17th-century Santo Domingo monastery and the Church of La Merced, whose stone facade was moved from the original city site. Beyond the historic center, the Union Church of Balboa represents the spiritual heritage of the Canal Zone era.

Historic Churches — Map

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A

St. Joseph Church

In this church, there is the Golden Altar - a great Panamanian treasure. Both, church and altar are dedicated to St.

B

Santo Domingo Church

This is a church in the old part of the Panama city. It used to be a part of Dominican monastery destroyed by fire in 17th century.

C

La Merced Church

This church has survived fires, eartquakes and plunderings. Francisco Pizzaro was here before conquering Inca Empire in Peru.

D

Basílica Metropolitana Santa María la Antigua

Completed in 1796, this cathedral features a stone facade flanked by two bell towers inlaid with mother-of-pearl from the Pearl Islands. It serves as the primary seat of the Archdiocese of Panama.

E

Union Church of Balboa

Founded in 1914 in the former Canal Zone, this non-denominational Protestant church served the international workforce during the construction and operation of the Panama Canal.

Other Lists

Distrito de Panamá Essentials Museums & Art Parks & Viewpoints