I took a city tour here on Wednesday. It included two main attractions - the Miraflores Locks and Casco Viejo.
First off, the Mitaflores Locks was impressive as we got to see the largest cruise ship go through them. There were literally only inches to spare. But this is all about to change in 2014 as Panama is building two new 'super' locks that will allow much larger vessels, including US aircraft carriers, to go through the canals. These new locks will parallel the present locks at Mitaflores and Gatun. The other smaller locks will no longer be needed due to all the dredging and widening of the passages.
Casco Viejo is the location the old city moved following its destruction by Caprain Henry Morgan in 1671. The new location was easier to defend as the reefs prevented ships approaching except during high tide.
The most famous church there is Ingesia de San Jose. It was reknown for having a solid gold alter that a priest painted black to prevent Captain Morgan from stealing it. According to legend, the priest not only had Morgan believing this story but he got Morgan to contribute towards a replacement. Atlas the present alter is gold leaf and no one knows what really happened to all the 'missing' gold.
Casco Viejo is now in a state of rebirth. The city acquire all the buildings here by eminent domain. They are selling the properties for next to nothing but the buyer must open a hotel, restaurant etc. (no residences) and they must maintain the original fascades.
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