La Iglesia de la Merced

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Dating back to 1680, La Iglesia de la Merced sits in the heart of Casco Viejo, just a couple of blocks from Independence Square.

La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue of María de Cervello

Dating back to 1680, La Iglesia de la Merced sits in the heart of Casco Viejo, just a couple of blocks from Independence Square. Its weathered stone facade is made of stones recovered from the abandoned original old city of Panama, Panama Viejo, and is flanked by two gleaming white stucco bell towers, with bells chiming every 15 minutes.

The decorations inside are relatively restrained, with an exposed wooden ceiling and a tastefully tiled floor. In alcoves around the edge are a number of statues dedicated to saints and religious figures, some more tastefully crafted than others but all of them well maintained.

Particularly striking is a statue of María de Cervelló (also known as María del Socorro or Mary or Cervellione) holding a ship in her hand. She was a 13th-century saint who was reputed to, after she had died, sail on the wings of the wind to rescue ships who were at risk of shipwreck.

Photos of La Iglesia de la Merced

La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Patterned Tiles
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue of St Joseph
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Door with Coat of Arms
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Facade
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Stone Columns
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Main Altar
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Door Knocker
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue of Saint Rita of Cascia
Statue of Saint Rita of Cascia. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue of Christ
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Altar
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

What To Know Before You Go

David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »