The Artistic Architectural Style of the Bahá’i Temple in Panama

The Bahá’í Temple in Panama City, Panama, built in 1972, was designed by British architect Peter Tillotson. It serves as the mother temple of Latin America. It is perched on a high cliff, “Cerro Sonsonate” (“Singing Hill”), overlooking the city, and is constructed of local stone laid in a pattern reminiscent of Native American fabric designs.

The dome is covered with thousands of small oval tiles, and the entrance gates of the temple are constructed in a unique three-dimensional design each consisting of an equilateral triangle of three vertical posts with multiple rows of bars stretching between them at various angles, each row of which gradually changes from vertical to horizontal.

Below are several pictures of the Bahá’i Temple which will give you a taste of the magnificent architectural style designed by Peter Tillotson for this house of worship built in Panama.

Snapshot of the aesthetic building which houses the Bahá'i House of Worship in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the gorgeous dome of the Bahá'i Temple perched on top of the Sonsonate Hill in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This is one of the many gates of the Bahá'i Temple in the Republic of Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the beauty of the architectural style of the Bahá'i House of Worship built in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the stunning white dome of the Bahá'i Temple located in the neighborhood of Ojo de Agua in the Republic of Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the ample main entrance of the Bahá'i Temple in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the artistic temple of Bahá'i faith surrounded by beautiful lawns and tropical gardens. Notice the floodlight on the walls to illuminate the structure during the evenings. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the Bahá'i House of Worship surrounded by well-trimmed lawns and gardens. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of the main entrance of the Bahá'i Temple with its walls decorated a pattern reminiscent of Native American fabric designs. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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Manicured Lawns and Gardens at the Bahá’i Temple in Panama

I was deeply wowed with the extremely well-kept gardens and lawns surrounding the Bahá’i Temple.  The gardens were works of art and the lawns were thick and green, just like a smooth carpet.  The scenario was exquisite; ideal for peace and meditation.  It was a treat for the eyes contrasting to the sight of the noisy city down below.

This is what I’m talking about.  Isn’t this a perfect site for a house of worship?  Here we go.

Snapshot of a gorgeous garden with the premises of the Bahá'i Temple in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The Bahá'i Temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens and well-kept lawns. They look so smooth, just like a thick green carpet. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The series isn’t over yet.  Please come tomorrow to enjoy more pictures of the gorgeous white Bahá’i Temple perched on top of a rolling hill.  Good Day.

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A Landscape View From Cerro Sonsonate (The Singing Hill)

A landscape view of the area surrounding the Bahá'i Temple taken from the top of Sonsonate Hill. The green color everywhere, the cool breeze and the fresh air was a terrific experience. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The picture above is a composition of several independents shots stitched together to create a landscape photograph of the area surrounding the temple.  The building is perched on the Cerro Sonsonate (the singing hill) at an elevation of 730 feet and is located 7 miles north of  Panama City on the Transisthmian Highway in an area known as Ojo de Agua.  The view from the hill is absolutely awesome as you can appreciate in this picture.

Below are the shots that I used to create this wide-angle landscape view of the area around the temple.  On top of the hill, you can barely hear the noise of the traffic below on the Transisthmian Highway.  The area is very quiet and only the harmonious chirping of the birds can be heard.  The ruffle of the leaves also creates a relaxing atmosphere.

A view of the area known as Ojo de Agua where the Bahá'i Temple is located in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

It was a crystal clear day with a wonderful view of the lush vegetation adjacent to the Bahá'i Temple. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The dry season is just starting in Panama, so the trees and the grass are still green. Soon it will turn brown as the sun intensifies its action. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

An attraction of the temple are slender tall royal palm trees and well-trimmed lawns and gardens around the structure. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

In this picture you see the small figure of my wife Aura, on the sidewalk of the temple. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

If you are enjoying the visit to the aesthetic temple on top of Sonsonate Hill, I encourage you to return tomorrow for more enticing pictures of this picturesque place perched on top of a hill.  Good Day.

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Palm Trees Under a Blue Dome

Snapshot of tall beautiful palm trees decorating the premises of the Bahá'i Temple on Ojo de Agua. The circular garden in the middle of the picture includes a garden with the shape of a star. Being up there was a privilege of peace and tranquility. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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A Splash of Red on Sonsonate Hill

Snapshot of a bright red flower amongst a rich tropical vegetation surrounding the premises of the Bahá'i Temple on Sonsonate Hill in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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The Bahá’i House of Worship in Panama

On October 12, 2011 my wife and “The Twisters” went up to the Bahá’i Temple to shoot some pictures.  That Sunday morning, the clouds were slung over Panama City like steel hammocks.  I knew it was going to rain, but my desire to go to the Baha’i Temple was greater than the risk of getting wet or shooting sullen pictures.  At approximately 9:30 a.m. the skies opened up and the area surrounding the temple became dark, foggy and saturated with water.  There was no way, I could get any decent snapshots of the stunning Baha’i building.  Instead, I shot a brief video of the site and waited until the rainy season was over.

Last Monday, January 2, 2012 we returned to the site under a beautiful blue dome and a bright sunny day.  I knew the pictures would be great.  We were there for about two hours enjoying the view and the fresh air of the morning.

The Baha’i House or Worship Bahá’i Temple is a sacred place for meditation and worship. It was designed by London architect Peter Tillotson.  His design was favored amongst 43 other blueprints that were submitted by architects from around the world.

Construction began on December 1, 1969 and lasted two and a half years at a cost of approximately one million dollars. On April 29, 1972 the temple was opened to the public.

The Baha’i Temple is an unusual geometric structure with a nine-pointed star which symbolizes the unity of God, the fundamental unity of religions and of humanity. The dome is covered with thousands of small oval tiles, and the entrance gates of the temple are constructed in a unique three-dimensional design each consisting of an equilateral triangle three vertical posts with multiple rows of bars stretching between them at various angles, each row of which gradually changes from vertical to horizontal.

The house of worship has capacity for 550 people. The diameter of the base is 200 feet and a height of 92 feet. The building is perched on the Cerro Sonsonate (the singing hill) at an elevation of 730 feet and is located 7 miles north of  Panama City on the Transisthmian Highway in an area known as Ojo de Agua.  The view from the hill is absolutely awesome as you will see in upcoming pictures.

Below are three black and white snapshots of this beautiful site.  More pictures are scheduled in the immediate future.  Here we go.

Snapshot of the Bahá'i Temple on top of Cerro Sonsonate, "la montaña del dulce canto" (The Mountain of Beautiful Singing) in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Another view of the aesthetic building with smooth undulating lines. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Snapshot of my wife Aura, walking around the lush tropical gardens of the Bahá'i Temple in Panama, City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

You are most welcomed to return tomorrow for more pictures of this magnificent site of worship and tranquility on top of a singing hill.  Good Day.

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Learning the Ropes on Homemade Videos

It was quiet in the gray light and early enough that there were no cars or people on the streets.  That’s why I like to shoot my pictures on Sundays—specially early in the morning, when the sun is dressed in gold.

That Sunday morning, the clouds were slung over Panama City like steel hammocks.  I knew it was going to rain, but my desire to go to the Baha’i Temple was greater than the risk of getting wet or shooting sullen pictures.  At approximately 9:30 a.m. the skies opened up and the area surrounding the temple became dark, foggy and saturated with water.  There was no way, I could get any decent snapshots of the stunning Baha’i building.

In an effort to take something home from the visit, I decided to explore the videos capabilities of my ole Canon PowerShot A720 IS camera.  I’ve had it for two years now, but for some reason, I had been hesitant in using its filming capabilities.  Now was the time to see if the camera was worth its salt.  The area was rapidly becoming more and more foggy and it was raining cats and dogs when I started filming.  It was an ideal test to see how good—or bad—the camera really was.

Below is a brief video of my visit to the Baha’i Temple on the outskirts of Panama City, Panama.  I’m planning to return when the sun is upstairs to capture the beauty of the premises around the temple and of the building itself.  When you see the pictures, you will understand why I’m so passionate about capturing its stunning image for Lingua Franca.

Caveat; this is not a first-class video, nor a best example of Shakespearean English.  My accent is terrible, but I wanted to test the microphone and the video; so I had to plunge in and test the waters.  I apologize beforehand and humbly request that you bear with me while I learn the tricks of the trade.  Here we go.

Stay tuned for appropriate snapshots of the Baha’i Temple located about two miles from my house.  It’s one of the most beautiful temples in Panama on top of a rolling hill.  The scenery up there is amazing.  Good Day.

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