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Iglesia San Jose

Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama

Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Panama // Casco Viejo Panama City· Christian Art & Architecture· Churches & Cathedrals· Panama City Panama· UNESCO World Heritage Sites Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

The massive Golden Altar (or Altar de Oro) of Iglesia San Jose is remarkable in its own right. The towering structure isn’t actually solid gold–it’s carved mahogany that has been covered in gold leaf (and paint). But it looks every bit as opulent as you’d think.

But perhaps the most remarkable thing about it is the story about why it’s still around to see. It survived the pirate Henry Morgan’s sacking of Panama Viejo in 1671. Legend has it that a priest disguised it by painting it black and then convinced Morgan that it had already been stolen. When the coast was clear, and after Panama Viejo was abandoned in the wake of Morgan’s raid, the altar was later moved to its present location in Iglesia San Jose, one of Casco Viejo’s many churches. Today, Iglesia San Jose (Church of San Joseph) is surrounded, like most of Casco Viejo, by a mix of crumbling ruins and beautifully renovated buildings.

Iglesia San Jose dates to 1673 and features a series of heavy, ornate altar pieces lining its walls and alcoves. But despite the draw of the Golden Altar, the church hasn’t been restored to the extent of some of the others, something you’ll quickly notice when you feel the oppressive heat and humidity inside.

Photos of Iglesia San Jose

Golden Altar (Altar de Oro) at Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Bell Tower of Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Golden Altar (Altar de Oro) at Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

The Golden Altar (Altar de Oro). License this photo

Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

Some of the side niches. License this photo

Golden Altar (Altar de Oro) at Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

Looking toward the Altar de Oro (Golden Altar). License this photo

Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

One of the side niches, this one depicting Madonna and Child. License this photo

Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

Another depiction of Madonna and Child, this one in one of the stained glass windows on the side of the church. License this photo

Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

One of the side niches with a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. License this photo

Golden Altar (Altar de Oro) at Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

A wide-angle view of the Golden Altar (Altar de Oro). License this photo

Bell Tower of Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

The base of the turret on the bell tower. License this photo

Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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On top of the steeple. License this photo

Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Golden Altar (Altar de Oro) at Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

The Golden Altar (Altar de Oro). License this photo

Bell Tower of Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Golden Altar (Altar de Oro) at Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

A closer view of the Golden Altar. License this photo

Bell Tower of Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

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Bell Tower of Iglesia San Jose Casco Viejo Panama City Panama

Side by side with one of the many unrestored buildings in the area. License this photo

Map

License Photos of Iglesia San Jose in Casco Viejo

If you’d like to download any of my photos from Iglesia San Jose in Casco Viejo, you can license them directly from Alamy here. It includes most of the photos displayed on this page along with many more, and there are licenses for various types of uses, including personal use as well as editorial publication.

Where to Next?

  • Iglesia San Francisco de Asis Casco Viejo Panama
    Iglesia San Francisco de Asis
  • La Iglesia de la Merced Casco Viejo Panama City Statue of María de Cervello
    La Iglesia de la Merced
  • Arco Chato at Iglesia Santo Domingo in Casco Viejo
    Iglesia Santo Domingo and the Arco Chato
  • Streets of Historic Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama
    Panama City's Casco Viejo
  • Iglesia de San Bernardo, Mexico City, Mexico
    Templo de San Bernardo
  • Mary and Child Statue at Iglesia de Santa Ines, Mexico City, Mexico
    Iglesia de Santa Ines
  • Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market) in Casco Viejo Panama City Panama
    Panama City's Seafood Market (Mercado de Mariscos)
  • Biomuseo Theater
    Panama City's Biomuseo
  • Statue Preservation at Iglesia de la Santisima Trinidad in Mexico City, Mexico
    Iglesia de la Santisima Trinidad


Travel Advice for Panama

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Panama (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Panama here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Panama here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location:
Country: Panama
Coordinates:
      Latitude:
      Longitude:

      # Casco Viejo Panama City
      # Christian Art & Architecture
      # Churches & Cathedrals
      # Panama City Panama
      # UNESCO World Heritage Sites



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

Get in Touch

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© 2009–2021 David Coleman · Have Camera Will Travel LLC · all rights reserved


Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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