Panama has one of the richest social and natural histories in the continent. Its biodiversity is honored through the museum designed by Frank Gehry, while its history begins in Panama Viejo, one of the first ports on the mainland where many missions embarked to discover the south.
Panama City recently turned 500 years old since it was first established. Five centuries of rich cultural history created from a mixture of races and religions that for diverse motives passed through the isthmus.
Furthermore, it is impossible to avoid talking about the emergence of the isthmus of Panama and how it has been key in maintaining and developing the natural ecosystem of the world.
Panama is and will always be a place full of stories worth discovering. Stories that are well kept in the museums, specialized by topic of interest for any visitor.
Here we present five museums that are a must (more than one time) when visiting Panama City.
Biomuseum or Museo de la Biodiversidad
“Did you know that the isthmus known as Panama emerged relatively recently and its appearance literally changed the world? Discover more about the unique impact that Panama has had on the biodiversity of the world, as well as the commitment that country has with regards to the protection of the environment.”
The museum summarizes its goal in this way. Located on the Amador Causeway, an extension of land that is the point of entry for ships crossing the Panama Canal as well as a point of reference (it can be seen from the airplane as you enter the city) for being the only building designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.
For more information about opening hours and costs visit https://biomuseo.org/
Panama Canal Museum
The Panama Canal is recognized as one of the nine wonders of the world. Its history including the creation, building and world impact are some of the topics that you can learn about in this building located in Casco Antiguo.
With permanent and temporary collections, this museum must be visited by all of those that wish to learn about the history of one of the most important engineering feats in history.
For more information about opening hours and costs visit https://www.museodelcanal.com
Panama Viejo Museum
Did you know that a small fisherman town became the first European settlement founded in the Pacific and would later become a strategic point for conquest and commerce missions in the region?
And that this strategic point was its worst curse, since it became a target for famous pirates and privateers that continually besieged it, until Henry Morgan finally destroyed it on January 28th, 1671.
This museum tells one of the most epic stories of the city, walking its ruins that are still standing 500 years later.
For more information about opening hours and costs visit http://www.patronatopanamaviejo.org
Museum of Contemporary Art
“The MAC collection has been acquired over five decades. It started from the creation of the Panamanian Institute of Art in 1962 and has continued in an unstoppable way after Panarte established the Museum of Contemporary Art in 1983. The current collection has almost 700 pieces in diverse mediums created by artists from Panama, Latin America and other parts of the world”, highlights its biography.
The MAC is one of the main cultural and artistic centers in the city. A custodian of the ‘rich’ cultural history of the country and it constantly has permanent and itinerant activities for all ages.
For more information about opening hours and cost visit https://macpanama.org/
Afro-Antillean Museum of Panama
The impact that afro antillean culture has had on Panamanian culture is varied and goes from gastronomy all the way to music. This building, which dates from the beginning of the 20th century and was first created as a religious celebration, hosts an important part of said history and influence.
Afro-Antillean immigrants began arriving in the country with the construction of the French Canal, the Panama Canal and the railway.
For more information about opening hours and cost visit https://samaap.com/
