Old Town (Casco Viejo) Panama is a small section of the much larger Panama City. Located on a rocky peninsula it was the hub of life a hundred years ago during the construcion of the Panama Canal with elegant buildings, churches and hotels and many common residences. But the area was too small to hold the increasing population who moved across the bay onto the mailand and built modern Panama City. Casco Viejo was neglected for decades and it decayed. Today it is under restoration and is a UNESCO Heritage site.

The Causeway along Panama Bay with Bridge of the Americas
Small beach area in old town looking toward new city
New city viewed from the old town
New city viewed from the old town
New city viewed from the old town
Bridge of the Americas, looking north, seen from the Causeway
Statues of French leaders in the failed construction of the
Grand colonial building on Parque Bolivar
Monument to Simon Bolivar
Grand colonial restaurant and cafe on Parque Bolivar
Iglesia de la Merced on Parque Bolivar
Waiting for restoration
Local habitation
Local guys hanging out in front of a store
Shabby and colorful old town
The Causeway connects four small islands to the mainland; a
Vine covered promenade in old town
Cargo ship entering north into the canal
New Panama City across the bay
Two friendly faces
Young fisherman
Cargo ship leaving south from the canal
The Causeway leading back to the mainland
Cormorants watching for prey in the water
Rowing team in a dug-out canoe
Happy little boy
Snack bar
Airport runway near canal
Original crane from construction days on the canal, early 20c
Low income housing
Art MUseum by Frank Gehry under construction
Boy with puppy
Casca Viejo (Old Compound) is the original Panama City from
Interior of Iglesia de San Jose
The Golden Altar of Iglesia de San Jose
Newspaper story about restoring Old Panama
Newspaper story using strange English about restoring Old Panama
Plaza de la Indepencia
The Panama Canal museum was once the corporate headquarters during
The Panama Canal museum was once the corporate headquarters during
Town Hall of the old town
Native tapestry for sale on the plaza
Tapestry details
Restored buildings in the old town
Local boy with little to do
Iglesia de la Merced in old town
Panama flag and city
Unrestored and restored buildings stand next to each other
Unrestored church; many old town buildings were neglected for decades
Balboa Union Church; Luis V. Veagra, minister
Plaza with military offices in old town
Panam hats for sale on the plaza
Restored National Theatre
Panama History Museum in old town
Is that a rainbow flag?
Odd assortment of decorations
Unrestored building sprouting plant life
Unrestored building interior in old town
Locals chatting, smoking and drinking
View of the new city from the old town
Tourist guide; the old town is now a UNESCO Heritage

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