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About the Casco
A brief history of the Casco
Casco Antiguo is the old quarter of Panama City, founded in 1673 after the original Pacific settlement (Panama Viejo) was sacked by the pirate Henry Morgan. It remained the center of Panamanian life for nearly 300 years, until the 1930s, when, Like many old quarters in Latin America, Casco Antiguo declined as Panama's upper crust moved to the suburbs.
The reasons for the exodus are typically attributed to the emergence of the automobile, which made suburban living feasible and downtown living more difficult. In the Casco's case, these pressures were exacerbated by the fact that the boundries of the Panama Canal Zone, which was off limits to Panamanians, were drawn so as to pinch the Casco off from the rest of the city, leaving only one narrow road for entrance and egress.
The handover of the Panama Canal in 1999 and UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1998 ushered in an era of revitalization by government, entrepreneurs and international organizations.
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Why UNESCO thought the Casco was so special
During its 300 years as the heart of Panamanian life, the peninsula developed a unique legacy of Spanish, French and American colonial, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture. Certain styles, particuarly the narrow 16th through 18th century houses with internal courtyards, are specific to the region. So, while people often refer to Casco Viejo as a "colonial city", the current city-scape is more dominated by French and Early American architecture, which, UNESCO points out in its justification of World Heritage status, "lends it a special quality that other colonial cities in Latin America lack (with the exception of New Orleans, where the quality of the architecture is markedly inferior)."
UNESCO drew a connection between this eclectic collection of architectural styles and Panama's historical role as a world cross roads, with each style representing a boom in inter-oceanic trade through the Isthmus. This collection of architecture and the people who inhabit it are clear reflections of Panama's fascinating cultural makeup and an important part of our common heritage.
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What's happened to date and what's happening
Though much work is left to be done, the public and private sectors have restored historic buildings that now house government ministries, museums, the Presidential Palace, embassies, churches, as well as some of the City's finest homes, bars and restaurants. For a more in-depth look at the path of development in Panama City's old quarter, download the 2007 Casco Antiguo Handbook
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Resources
Articles
Panama is and has been the topic of many feature articles in the past few years and will continue to be so for years to come. New articles about Casco Antiguo will be added as they are written as well as some of the more informative articles about Panama.
See Article regarding on crack down on speculation at La Prensa
Restoration Impossible, La Prensa
Continental Divide
Travel and Leisure, November 2005
Revive the Glory/Revive la Gloria
A bit of Casco Antiguo’s past history is given along with an understanding of what is happening now and what is needed to revitalize this jewel. Owner K. C. Hardin was interviewed.
Panama 9 80 Lifestyle & Travel, Vol 1, Issue 1, September, 2005
Expansion of Panama Canal
With final approval by the Panamanian voters later in 2005, the expansion will begin by 2008 and take ten years. Their will be many opportunities at all levels, especially for all sectors of the real estate market.
PanAmcham, by Alvaro Aguilar Alfu, June, 2005
UNESCO presiona a Panama
Patrizia Pinzon, the president of Arco Properties, is quoted regarding speculation in Casco Antiguo.
La Prensa, by A. Benjamin, 25 August 2005
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