- Address: San Felipe, Panama City, Panama
- Tel .: +507 262-2911
When planning your vacation or traveling to Panama , remember that the population of this country carefully preserves the entire heritage of its history and is very anxious about religious issues. Local religious buildings are different from the usual European churches and temples. You can note this yourself if you visit, for example, the Church of Iglesia de la Merced in Panama.
A bit about the Church of Iglesia de la Merced
There are many Catholic buildings in the city of Panama , but the history of this church can be considered truly amazing. That building, which now decorates the streets of the historical part of Panama, pleases parishioners since 1680. But the facade of the church, which stands out so much and attracts attention to itself, is much older by age.
Interestingly, it's not even that it was built in the Baroque style. Historically, the fact that after the burning of the ancient city ( Panama Viejo ) by the pirate Henry Morgan and his bloodthirsty team, the surviving façade over the stone was moved to another place and gave him a second life with a new frame.
What to see?
Inside the Iglesia de la Merced church there are two chapels. One is the place of veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the other is a small mausoleum. The Virgin Mary in Panama is very popular, they go to ask for protection or blessings for an important decision. The entrance from the inside is decorated with a carved tree.
Since 2014, at the church opened a small museum on a voluntary basis, which stores many historical and religious documents of Panama. Some artifacts are several hundred years old. Here you can also see the protocols on the birth, baptism, marriage or death of people of past centuries and famous personalities. For example, Foma Sidorov was baptized here and the poet Ricardo concluded his marriage.
How to get to church?
Church Iglesia de la Merced is located in the old part of Panama City, where travel to any transport is prohibited. You can walk to the border of the historic district if you have stayed nearby, or you can take a taxi and any bus. Then follow the map or coordinates: 8 ° 57'9 "N 79 ° 32'11" W.
In the church itself you can enter as parishioners for service or prayer, despite the fact that the Church of Iglesia de la Merced is currently under restoration. The church museum is open from 9:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday, here you can learn the whole history of the building in detail and get acquainted with all the old objects. Keep in mind that employees of both the church and the museum speak only Spanish.
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