PANAMA CITY, Panama — The central nave of Iglesia San José leads to its famous golden altar (Altar de Oro), showcasing classic Spanish colonial church architecture. The church interior, dating from 1673, demonstrates traditional colonial religious spatial design. The nave's architectural elements frame the historic altar, which survived Henry Morgan's 1671 raid on the original Panama City.
Photograph by David Coleman. The central nave of Iglesia San José represents a quintessential example of Spanish colonial church architecture in Panama. Constructed in 1673 following the relocation of Panama City to its present site, the nave demonstrates traditional colonial religious spatial organization. The interior architecture follows classical Spanish colonial design principles, with the historic golden altar (Altar de Oro) serving as the primary focal point. The church's interior arrangement reflects typical Catholic liturgical requirements of the colonial period, featuring a central processional aisle leading to the main altar. Located within Panama City's UNESCO World Heritage Site of Casco Viejo, the nave's architectural elements include traditional colonial period features that create a direct sight line to the renowned golden altar, which survived the 1671 sacking of the original Panama City. The church interior maintains its historic character while continuing to serve as an active place of worship, representing an important example of preserved colonial religious architecture in Panama.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama, Panama
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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