Many of
our visitors, especially those from Mexico or the U.S., might think
Panama City's Plaza Cinco de Mayo has something to do with the famous
Mexican holiday, which, coincidentaly, is celebrated today.
The truth
is that the Plaza, one of Panama City's most recognizable landmarks
and reference points, is a tribute to one of the worst disasters in
the capital's history.
During
the small hours of May 5, 1914, fire broke out at the city's gunpowder
deposits, located near the present-day Hospital Santa Fe, between
Vía Transístmica and Avenida Frangipani. The cause of
the fire is unknown, but squads of firefighters were quickly sent
to the scene which threatened to destroy most of the city, which back
in those days was made up of mostly wooden structures. The fire was
controlled later that day, but many "bomberos" were lost
or injured. Declaring them national heros, the city soon erected the
monument in their honor in what used to be the gateway to the city.
As years
passed, this area became known as "Cinco de Mayo", which
today includes stores, mostly Hindu-owned, where visitors can find
all sorts of electronic gadgets, spices from India and fine clothing.
It is the "border" between Calidonia and the Avenida Central
pedetrian mall –two locations which provide a low-price, shopping
paradise for visitors.
