Torre de la Catedral

Continual renovation projects in Panama Viejo, the original Panama City site which was sacked and destroyed by pirates in 1671, has produced a number of spectacular opportunities to explore eye-catching colonial architecture: the Torre de la Catedral is preeminent among these restored buildings. A recent five-year-long renovation produced a near-intact tower rising tall from its square foundation and ringed with solid bits of crumbling stone walls. A steel staircase has been installed in the interior of the tower so that visitors can climb to new heights for panoramic city views, and a speaker recreates the chiming of bells three times each day; an actual bell replica would be too heavy for the tower to support. The Torre de la Catedral is located across the street from the Panama Viejo Visitors' Center and Museum, where visitors can pay the combined entrance fee to access both attractions. A good handicraft market is located inside the Visitors' Center.