Catedral Metropolitana de Panamá

The prodigious Catedral Metropolitana de Panamá, standing over the Parque de la Independencia in the center of Casco Viejo, is an undeniably impressive and unique piece of architecture—and, happily, is more simply known as the Catedral Metropolitana. The distinctive gray façade is built with ashlarstone that was brought from the ruins of Panamá Viejo for the project, and the massive white bell towers flanking the mottled stone are inlaid with mother-of-pearl from the Pearl Islands. Curiously, the church was designed by military engineers and constructed from 1688 until 1796. It survived an earthquake in the late 19th Century, and in 1884 a marble altar was installed that has remained to this day. Visitors can enter to view the stained glass and religious paintings as well as the altar when the doors open for masses, or can come by to gape at the façade at any time; it's even lit up at night.