See entry in Costa Rica section
These 17th and 18th century Panamanian forts on the Caribbean coast form part of the defence system built by the Spanish Crown to protect transatlantic trade.
Founded in 1519 by the conquistador Pedrarias Davila, Panama Viejo is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas.
The serial property shows how the isthmus became a global strategic asset from the 16th to 18th centuries. It includes fortified settlements, historic towns, archaeological sites, and roads used to connect the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
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Last Updated: July 25, 2025