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May 23, 2013

THE ALTAR OF GOLD IN PANAMA CITY, SPANISH AMERICA

WELCOME TO THIS POST!


LOVELY FLOWERS FROM PANAMA FOR MY READERS

FLOWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, PANAMA'S NATIONAL FLOWER

 

Click to enlarge

 

Source: Orchi, CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons

 

PANAMA FLAME TREE

 

Click to enlarge

 Source: Geoff Gallice, CC BY 2.0. Flickr

 

 PANAMA ROSE (RONDELETIA)

 

 

 Click to enlarge

 Source: Jayesh Patil, CC BY 2.0. Flickr



ABOUT PANAMA 

Panama, known as the Republic of Panama, is situated on the narrow isthmus that connects North and South America.

This narrow strip of land has Costa Rica to the West and Colombia to the southeast.

The isthmus also has important coasts on the Caribbean to its north and on the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Panama’s most important claim to fame is, of course, the Panama Canal, that great engineering feat that joins the Atlantic Ocean (through the Caribbean) with the Pacific Ocean.


PRESENT DAY CONTAINER SHIP ENTERING THE PANAMA CANAL


Click to enlarge


 
Source: gailf548, CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons


PRE-COLUMBIAN PANAMA.



The Isthmus of Panama is a very old land bridge.  It was formed about 3 million years ago, and has witnessed the traffic of animals and humans that have crossed this narrow bridge in both directions.

Very little is known about the prehistoric period of the isthmus. There are some traces of beautiful pottery that have been dated to about 2500 – 1700 B.C.



THE SPANISH CONQUEST AND COLONIZATION.



When the Spaniards arrived there were groups of indigenous inhabitants in the area, but these were completely exterminated by the Spaniards, who later brought in African slaves for manual work.

As  the Spanish conquest and colonization moved ever south and especially after the discovery of gold and silver in Peru in what had been the Inca Empire, the Isthmus of Panama became the strategic place for the trans-shipping of bullion and other valuable cargoes as they were transported from the Pacific towards the Atlantic and then on to Europe.



THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN PANAMA.



As was traditional to the development of the Spanish colonies, the various religious orders soon established their presence in Panama and started building their monumental churches.

Constantly under attack by the English privateers and other unofficial renegade pirates, not all of these rather fabulous structures have survived to the present day.


LA COMPAÑIA DE JESUS (JESUITS) IN THE OLD SECTOR OF PANAMA CITY

 

 Click to enlarge


Source: Mel O.R. CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons


THE CHURCH OF SAINT JOSEPH AND ITS GOLDEN ALTAR.


This fabulous colonial structure is now in the old sector of the city of Panama.

The majestic Altar is made of mahogany and shows many priceless carvings which are a mixture of European and indigenous influences in the style known as colonial art. 

The surface is covered with leaves of gold and there is a skylight right above that lets the light from outside shine down on the altar. A really fantastic spectacle!

Here are various photos of the Old Sector of Panama City.

  

GOLDEN ALTAR IN SAN JOSE CHURCH

 

 Click to enlarge

 Source: Editorpana, CC BY SA 3.0 Wikimedia Commons 

 

 

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE GOLDEN ALTAR

 

 Click to enlarge

 Source: ADelBarrioB, CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons 



CLOSE-UP OF THE GOLDEN ALTAR

 

Click to enlarge

 

Source: Caropi, CC BY SA 3.0.Wikimedia Commons

 



SPANISH VERSION



(This Blog is bilingual)



ALGUNOS DATOS SOBRE PANAMA


La República de Panamá ocupa el istmo del mismo nombre, esa angosta franja que une América del Norte con América del Sur.

Su mayor fama reside en la presencia del Canal de Panamá, una zona estratégica que permite la navegación entre el Océano Atlántico (a través del Caribe) y el Océano Pacífico.

Desde el punto de vista geológico, este puente terrestre surgió hace unos tres millones  de años atrás, y fue testigo del paso continuo de animales y seres  humanos en ambas direcciones.

Se sabe muy poco sobre los habitantes pre colombinos del istmo, y lamentablemente con la llegada de los españoles, los habitantes autóctonos fueron exterminados.



LA IGLESIA DE SAN JOSE Y SU ALTAR DE ORO.

El valor estratégico de Panamá aumentó considerablemente cuando se descubrió la existencia de los metales preciosos en la zona que correspondió al Imperio  Inca.

En efecto, los cargamentos de oro y plata llegaban por el Pacífico hasta el Istmo de Panamá y eran transbordados por tierra hasta  la otra costa, para de ahí continuar su viaje hacia Europa.

La importancia y el valor de estos cargamentos trajo consigo la presencia de los corsario que continuamente atacaban los galeones españoles.

De esta forma, la antigua ciudad de Panamá fue saqueada e incendiada, logrando salvarse sólo unas pocas obras arquitectónicas de gran valor.

Entre éstas destaca la Iglesia de San José con su gran “Altar de Oro”, una enorme estructura de caoba enteramente tallada en el estilo del llamado arte colonial, y luego recubierto con pan de oro.


Hoy en día es una importante atracción turística y es muy bella.




More about similar topics in a future post.      Más sobre temas similares en un próximo post.



LANGUAGE TIPS FOR ENGLISH


Words that go together!  * Do her a favor    - * Do your homework  - * Break my heart   - * Take the child’s temperature   – * Catch his attention



LANGUAGE TIPS FOR SPANISH.


Expresiones de uso frecuente: * A rey muerto, rey puesto  - * A todos les llega su momento de gloria  - * Como quien oye llover



How is your level of comprehension?   ¿Cómo está su nivel de comprensión?



© 2013  joanveronica  (Joan Robertson)




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