Museums to Visit in Casco Viejo

Is there more to Casco Viejo other than restaurants, bars and nightlife? The answer is YES! Here's a list of some museums you can visit while roaming your way through Casco.

The Panama Canal Museum (“Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá”), is a non-profit museum located in Plaza de la Independencia, showcasing the history of the construction of the Panama Canal from its very beginning. Yet, the building that houses this museum is historically significant and was constructed back in 1874. It served as the original headquarters for the French Canal Company, as well as the United States Isthmian Canal Commission, and later on in 1912 served as Panama City’s main Post Office.

The Panama History Museum (“Museo de la Historia de Panamá”) is also located in Plaza de la Independencia, and is housed within the Municipal Palace. The building, which was inaugurated in 1910, was designed in the neoclassical style and hosts Panama’s history during the colonial, departmental and republican periods. Here you can also find the first Panamanian flag.

The Mola Museum (MUMO) exhibits a total of 183 molas, all made by Guna women. Molas are a textile art form made by the Guna indigineous group of Panama and Colombia and they are made entirely by hand using several layers (usually 2 to 7) of different colors, which are sewn together. According to the Guna belief, molas serve to prevent evil spirits from possessing indigenous people and to celebrate important rituals, such as the celebration of puberty. Located in Colegio II, Calle Jose D. Obaldia.

The Museum of Religious Art ( Museo de Arte Religioso), is one of the museums within the Santo Domingo Covent, managed by the National Historical Heritage Office of the National Culture Institute (INAC). This museum is the only colonial religious museum in Panamá offering visual arts from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Casa Góngora was the home of Paul Góngora Careers, a Spanish pearl merchant, during the 17th century. This is one of the oldest houses in Panamá and considered to be an important piece of the country’s colonial history. It’s now owned by the Panamanian government and is often a site for artist exhibitions.