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First european settlement of Americas - Historic Panama Viejo


Founded on August 15, 1519, by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila, **Panamá Viejo** (Old Panama) holds the distinction of being the first European settlement established on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Positioned strategically along the Isthmus, it grew rapidly into a vital commercial hub through which immense quantities of silver and gold extracted from South America—particularly Peru—were transported toward the Caribbean coast and shipped back to Europe.

At its peak, the city boasted a thriving urban layout featuring stone churches, convents, residential mansions, and a central square (Plaza Mayor). However, its prominence made it a prime target for maritime raiders. In January 1671, the Welsh privateer Captain Henry Morgan attacked and sacked the city. The ensuing conflict and fires devastated the settlement. Rather than rebuilding on the charred site, the Spanish authorities relocated two years later to a nearby peninsula, establishing what is today known as *Casco Antiguo*.

Archaeological Discoveries

In 1997, UNESCO designated Panamá Viejo a World Heritage Site, recognizing its historical significance. Extensive excavations conducted under the stewardship of the *Patronato Panamá Viejo* have illuminated layers of history far predating European arrival. Archaeological investigations have revealed:

* **Pre-Hispanic Settlements:** Excavations around the Plaza Mayor unearthed indigenous burial sites, ceramics, and stone tools, proving the area was home to thriving Cuevan and pre-Columbian communities centuries before Spanish arrival.

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* **Colonial Domestic Life:** Digs beneath structures like *Casa Terrín* revealed 16th-century refuse pits and disused wells filled with European majolica, Asian porcelain, animal bones, and metal artifacts, providing a clear window into early transpacific trade and daily colonial life.

* **Urban Architecture:** Excavations have mapped the city's original street grid, revealing the foundations of the Cathedral, the Convent of the Conception, and civic buildings that survived Morgan's siege.

Today, visitors can climb the restored 30-meter Cathedral Tower for panoramic views of Panama City's modern skyline—a striking contrast between the country's ancient beginnings and its contemporary landscape.

Learn more about the settlement and its fall in this overview of [Panama Viejo's history](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJOf4yvOf2M&utm_source=gemini). This video provides visual context on the ruins and explains how Captain Henry Morgan's attack reshaped the nation's capital.

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