Brief History
Portobelo is one of Panama’s richest historical sites. Pirates, including the famous Henry Morgan, were frequent visitors to this town when Spain was using it as a shipping center for valuable loot. Several forts were constructed in this Panamanian town to protect this natural harbor and these ruins remain today.
The most interesting and historic ruins are also the ones most accessible to the visitor. The forts of Santiago and San Geronimo are each but a 5 minute walk from the pier Even closer is the “Customs House”, build in 1630, the remains of the church of La Merced, and the church of San Felipe, the last building to be built b the Spaniards. It was inaugurated in 1814. Its most carefully guarded and priceless relic is a beautifully carved statute of Jesus of Nazareth which, because of the dark wood from which it is made, is known as the “Black Christ”. Every October 21st, this Panamanian town relives a day of its glorious past in a celebration in honor of the Black Christ. This activity attracts thousands of Pilgrims from Panama and other countries. The statute of the Black Christ is brought out of the church on a platform borne by 80 men and is carried through the streets of the city. It is followed by hundreds of pilgrims carrying candles, who march behind it until it is once again restored to its resting place.
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