Plaza Francia

Originally the main square of the walled city, Plaza Francia was designed by Leonardo de Villanueva and is dedicated to the French effort to build the Panama Canal and the thousands of people from around the world who died during the process. An obelisk topped with a French coque crowns the monument and a dozen marble plaques provide details of the labor of construction the Canal. Flanking the Plaza are the infamous Las Bóvedas, the French Embassy, the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (National Culture Institute), as well as many contemporary vendors with souvenirs, food and drink.

Plaza Francia Map

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About Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo is the historic district and cultural gem of Panama City. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, Casco Viejo was established around 1673 by the Spanish colonialists, the Catholic Church, and other settlers. Historically one of the richest and most densely... Read More »