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Explore the towering remnants of the city's spiritual centers.
These structures formed the religious core of Panama Viejo before the 1671 pirate attack. Today, the surviving stone walls and the iconic 30-meter bell tower offer a direct look into the 16th-century Spanish colonial settlement.
20 minutes115 stepsSkyline views
This 30-meter stone bell tower is the most recognizable surviving structure in the settlement. It served as a lookout point for the early city. You can climb the 115 modern internal steps to the top. The viewing platform provides an excellent contrast between the 16th-century ruins and the modern Panama City skyline.
15 minutes16th-century ruins
Dominican friars established this prominent convent in the late 16th century. The ruins highlight the robust construction methods of the era. You can still see beautifully preserved brick arches and original stonework. These specific architectural details managed to survive the destructive fires.
15 minutesFormer nunnery
This site contains the remains of the only nunnery in Panama Viejo. The complex originally covered a massive area of the settlement. Walk through the surviving foundations to understand the layout. Look for the large stone cistern, which the nuns used to store rainwater.
