Over Friday-Saturday during Semana Santa, my friend Shelly and I headed over to Portobelo. I've been wanting to go to this historic town ever since I arrived to Panama, so I was excited to make my dream a reality!
The Royal Customs House (now restored and a museum)
We kept picturing Pirates of the Caribbean happening here.
I learned that the Spanish forts of Portobelo ("Beautiful Port" named by Colombus in 1502) were attacked by pirates and buccaneers not just once, but several times. Granted, several shiploads of Inca gold were passing through the town on their way to Spain.
Inside the museum was the robe that they have the "Black Christ" wear during a religious ceremony that happens in Portobelo every October.
San Jeronimo
We tried to lift some of the cannon balls that were inside the museum, and they were probably around 45 pounds each! Can you imagine loading all those cannons?
The view of the harbor, surrounded by land on both sides.
To Sum Up in a few sentences:
Spain thought they had a prime location, tucked into a natural harbor in the Caribbean Sea, but after William Parker (1602), Sir Henry Morgan (1671), and many other English pirates or members of the Royal Navy attacked, the Spanish had to reevaluate their defense strategy.
1739--The town of Portobelo was completely destroyed and burned to the ground by Admiral Edward Vernon. Spanish rebuilt it about a decade later, but a lot of it fell into ruin and some parts were even used to build the canal.
Fort Santiago
They even used pieces of coral in building the fort!
We saw this crazy set of dirt stairs leading up and, curious, we set off on a 287-step journey to the top.
It was so worth it! Check out this view of the harbor and the forts below:
There was a small castle at the top (used to store ammunition and serve as a look out), surrounded by a moat (dry right now-but I can imagine it'd be pretty full in rainy season!). Now I felt like I was in the middle of medieval Europe.
We took several scenic drives during our stay. The Caribbean side of Panama is absolutely gorgeous!
We also drove up and into the Parque Nacional de Portobelo.
Driving up and over several mountains, this verse came to mind:
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Earlier in the day, we had seen a series of posters on Faith inside Iglesia San Felipe, taken from the passage of Jesus healing the demon-possessed boy (Mark 9:23-24). What an encouragement:
Jesus has the power to heal and to save. Why do we worry? Why do we doubt Him? Especially considering He showed clear victory over sin and death when he rose from the grave three days after being brutally crucified on the cross. Do we live in light of the fact that HE IS RISEN?
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