In the suburbs of Panama City, there are incredibly beautiful ruins of the old city of Panama Viejo, which can be compared to ancient Roman ruins. Once, Panama Viejo was the original capital of the country. Now it is an attractive World Heritage Site for tourists.

Panama Viejo was founded in 1519. Then it was the first city built on the Pacific coast. Its ancestors were the Spanish colonialists, who brought new land under cultivation.

The new city's favorable location quickly turned it into a profitable transit point. Merchants from different countries stayed there while traveling with their expensive goods. The city developed rapidly: in 1587, only 584 people lived there, while in 1610, the population of Panama Viejo was more than 5,000 inhabitants. Panama Viejo had not only secured defensive walls, but also beautiful houses, chapels, monasteries, the main cathedral, and several hospitals. The developed infrastructure made it possible to say that this city was equal in comfort to European capitals.

Besides, it was there that the mined gold and silver, which were then sent to Spain, were stored. So it is not surprising that Panama Viejo became a desirable prey for the vast number of pirates who hunted in the area.

By the way, they were the reason for the decline of the city: several regular raids first led to the fact that civilians began to leave Panama Viejo saving their families. And then, in 1671, the famous pirate Henry Morgan destroyed the once prosperous and wealthy city.

Locals did not dare to restore the city. In 1673, they began to build a new city eight kilometers from the destroyed complex. It is now part of the new Panama City known as Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter).

Today, Panama Viejo attracts people who want to immerse themselves in the unusual world of mythical heroes and villains, who are interested in the secrets and legends of the past, who are keen on studying the history of different countries and continents.