Palacio de las Garzas

The Palacio de las Garzas is the presidential palace of Panama, a graceful colonial-style building on the waterfront of Casco Viejo, the capital's historic quarter. Its name, the Palace of the Herons, comes from the elegant birds that have wandered its central courtyard for generations.

The building dates in part to the seventeenth century, remodeled in the early twentieth into its present Moorish-influenced form with a fountain courtyard, arched galleries and mother-of-pearl inlaid columns. It has served as the seat of Panama's presidents since the nation's independence, and remains the heart of the country's government.

The herons give the palace its charm and its name. White and great blue herons have been kept in the arcaded patio for over a century, a tradition begun in the 1920s, and they still stalk the fountain, a living emblem of the residence. The interior holds ceremonial halls, historic furnishings and works of Panamanian art, including a hall of murals depicting scenes from the country's history.

The palace stands at the edge of Casco Viejo, the atmospheric colonial district of narrow streets, plazas and pastel facades that is a World Heritage site. From the waterfront nearby, views open across the bay to the gleaming towers of the modern city, a vivid contrast of old and new Panama. Because it is a working government building, interior access is restricted and usually requires arranged tours, but the exterior and its riverside setting are easily admired while exploring the quarter on foot. The surrounding streets are filled with restaurants, rooftop bars and boutique hotels in restored colonial houses. Panama City is warm year-round; the drier months from December to April bring the most comfortable conditions for walking Casco Viejo and its landmarks.