The old city of Panama was founded on August 15, 1519. Back then it was called “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá”. It was the first European city on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
Panama was part of the Spanish Empire for over 300 years (1513-1821), and her fortune fluctuated with the geopolitical importance of the isthmus to the Spanish crown. At the height of the Empire during the 16th and 17th century, no other region would prove of more strategic and economic importance than Panama.
Pedro Arias de Ávila, a.k.a. Pedrarias Dávila, the first Spanish Governor of the old city of Panama, began building intercontinental and trans-isthmian routes, such as the “Camino Real” and “Camino de Cruces”, linking the old city of Panama with Nombre de Dios (and later with Portobelo) on the Atlantic Side, making possible the establishment of a trans-atlantic system of Treasure Fleets and Fairs (Sistema de Ferias y Galeones).
It is estimated that 60 percent of all the gold entering Spain from the New World between 1531 and 1660, had arrived at its destiny via the Treasure Fleets and Fairs System from Nombre de Dios/Portobelo.
During that time, there was an important bridge that connected the old city of Panama to the trail of mules or Camino Real which was then used to carry the treasures of the New World to Spain. The name of this strategic bridge was Puente del Rey, in English, the King’s Bridge.
Puente del Rey is a great work of masonry representative of the constructions of the Spanish colonial period. It was built between 1619 and 1634. Some historians mention that before this period, there was a wooden bridge and that an expert from Cartagena, Colombia supervised the building of the new stone bridge. The Spanish architects of the Colonial Period were so skillful in their work, that many of their constructions remain intact even to this day. Such is the case of Puente del Rey.
I was recently at Panama Viejo and took several photographs of this colonial bridge that has resisted the passing of time. Take a look at what I saw. Here we go.
Photograph of Puente del Rey located inside the perimeter of the Ruins of Panama Viejo.
Notice how well preserved the bridge is. One would believe it's still in use to cross the Río Abajo River, which obviously, is not the case.
A closer look at the old colonial bridge that still holds its ground. It looks very solid and regal.
A close view of the bridge after a heavy rainfall. Notice the debris floating in the river. This is dangerous and could hurt the foundations of the bridge in the future.
As you can see from the photographs above, Panama has a rich historical background dating back 489 years. It’s very imporant to keep these historical sites well preserved to remind us of who we are and how much we have contributed to the history of Spain, Central and South America. Good Day.
