(...)
The visit to the historic district of Panama, designated a World Heritage Site initially reminded me of similar historic centres of former Spanished colonised countries, particularly in regards to the typical colonial houses. Góngora House stood out as being one the oldest houses in Panama and considered as one of the true Casco Viejo colonial houses retaining its original architectural features.
We strolled around the area having visited several churches, amongst which San Felipe Neri Church considered one of the oldest, with a rather impressive display of a huge crib pertaining to a well known Panamanian family, the Sandovals, whose tradition of having it displayed for public exhibition over Christmas has now been made available all year around in one of its side chapels.
A notice on Nossa Senhora de Fátima caught my attention, though I knew she is thoroughly cherished everywhere in the world.
Once in the Plaza Simón Bolivar we visited the amazingly beautiful San Francisco de Assis church, whose decoration was differed significantly from the previous one and the one which would follow. I couldn't help looking at some of the decorative details and the blending of various artistic styles.
We then made our way towards the Plaza de la Independencia, having had one of the best "raspados" one can get, before visiting the ruins of the Society of Jesus, admiring the resistance of the flat arch of the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo and the rather impressive Churches of Saint Joseph (recently renovated) with its golden altar designed in the 17th century Baroque style, and Our Lady of Mercy Church which is the only church of the Old quarter that maintains its original wooden roof and columns. It's worth mentioning that the largest Nativity scene is on display in one of its rooms and quite impressive it is.
No comments:
Post a Comment