The Old Quarter:

If one could describe Panama in a single word, that would probably be “diversity”, and Panama City's Old Quarter –the "new" city built by the Spanish after the plundering and destruction of Old Panama in the late 17th century, is a reflection of such diversity. Although a number of fires destroyed many of its original Spanish-style buildings, visitors strolling through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter will be able to discover the cultural influences that have shaped the country’s personality during the last three hundred years.

The towers of this beautiful 17th-century church were once the city's tallest structures.

Built by italian architecture G. Ruggieri, the country's most important concert venue was inaugurated in 1909. After recent restoration works, it re-opened in 2004.

One of the oldest standing Spanish colonial buildings in the Quarter, Casa Góngora dates from the 18th century. Recently restored, the building houses a museum, art gallery and concert hall.

Another example of neoclassical design by italian architect Genaro Ruggieri, Panama's Municipal Palace was erected in 1910.

The classic mansard of this building is clear evidence of the Frech influence in Panama as a direct result of the ill-fated attempt of Ferdinand DeLesseps to build a sea-level canal through Panama in the late 19th century.

It took 108 to build the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church in the Isthmus, between the 17th and 18th centuries. Some of the most important milestones of Panamanian history have taken place here such as the signing of the declaration of independence from Colombia, in 1903.