Panamá Viejo (Old Panama Ruins)

Founded by Spanish conquistadors on August 15, 1519, Panamá Viejo stands as the oldest permanent European settlement on the Pacific. Located across the bay from modern Panama City, the site offers a striking contrast to the contemporary skyline. Visitors can explore the remnants of a cathedral and several stone buildings and walls, which provide a tangible link to the city’s colonial past. Today, walking through the ruins, one can almost hear the echoes of the past, imagining the bustling life that once thrived in this historic enclave.