| Presidential Palace | |
|---|---|
 Main view of the Palacio de las Garzas. | |
 Interactive map of Presidential Palace | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Location | Panama City,Panama |
| Construction started | 1673 (1673) |
| Completed | 1922 (1922) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Leonardo Villanueva Meyer |
ThePalacio de las Garzas (Presidential Palace o Heron's Palace) is the governmental office and residence of thePresident of Panama. It receives its name because ofherons roaming freely in the courtyard. The herons were first brought to the building in 1922, by the former presidentBelisario Porras Barahona, at the suggestion of friend and famed Panamanian poetRicardo Miró.[1]
The Palacio de las Garzas is the seat of the Presidency of the Republic of Panama and one of the most iconic historic buildings inPanama City. Located in the San Felipe district of the city's Old Town, it has served as the residence and office of Panama's presidents since its conversion into a palace in 1875.
Construction of the original building began in 1673, by order of the judge of theRoyal Audience of Panama,Luis de Lozada y Quiñónez, following the destruction of Panama Viejo during the sacking by the pirateHenry Morgan in 1671. The building was constructed on the new site of the city, in what is now the Old Town, and was initially intended for government functions. Over the centuries, the building served various roles, including as aCustoms House andBookkeeping Office in the 18th century.
In 1756, the building was almost completely destroyed by fire. After its reconstruction, it continued to serve multiple functions over the years, including as a bonded warehouse in 1821 and a boys' teacher training college between 1872 and 1875. During the 19th century, it also housed the Government House and, later, theNational Bank of Panama.
In 1875, the building was officially designated thePresidential Palace, serving as the seat of the Presidency of the Republic of Panama. This function was consolidated in the following decades, as the building was adapted to the needs of the Panamanian government.
In 1922, PresidentBelisario Porras Barahona ordered a comprehensive restoration and remodeling of the building to convert it into a modern presidential palace. Under the direction of architectLeonardo Villanueva Meyer, a second and third floors were added, which would serve as the presidential residence, and anAndalusian patio was incorporated on the second level. Key spaces, such as the Yellow Room and the presidential dining room, were also remodeled. The official inauguration of the new Palacio de las Garzas took place on August 3, 1923. Although the palace was inaugurated in 1923, it was not until 1938 that it became the exclusive property of the State of Panama, after the National Bank moved its headquarters to a new location on Central Avenue.
A distinctive feature of the Palacio de las Garzas is the gallery of presidential portraits, which began in 1855 under the direction of Colombian painterEpifanio Garay, who was commissioned to paint portraits of the presidents of Panama. Additionally, in 1934, during the visit of PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt, an elevator was installed in the building. The elevator was installed due to the difficulty of accessing the upper floors for the president, who suffered from mobility issues due to his paralysis. The elevator allowed the president convenient access to the upper rooms and spaces of the palace during his stay, facilitating his official visit.[2]
The palace has been used as the residence and main office of most presidents, with the exception of a few, such asLaurentino Cortizo,Juan Carlos Varela,Ricardo Martinelli,Martín Torrijos,Mireya Moscoso, andErnesto Pérez Balladares, who chose to maintain their residences and commute there daily.
ThePalacio de las Garzas is acolonial-style building. Following the restoration after the1951 coup d'état, much of its original structure was recovered — including numerous bullet holes that remain visible as historical marks.
The main façade facesAvenida Eloy Alfaro, with a view of theBay of Panama. Below this façade, facilities have been built for theInstitutional Protection Service, including a small landing dock, ahelipad, and offices for various presidential departments.
At the palace's entrance lies acourtyard with acentral fountain,whitemarble floors, andmother-of-pearl columns. This is where theherons that give the palace its name reside. The birds, originally from theDarién region, were a gift from Panamanian poetRicardo Miró to PresidentBelisario Porras. The herons have not always been the same individuals, but traditionally there is one heron for each province in the country (which increased to ten after the creation ofPanamá Oeste). When the palace hosts major events or summits with large delegations, thegray herons are temporarily relocated toSummit Municipal Park, located on the outskirts ofPanama City.
On thesecond floor, there is anAndalusian-style courtyard with strongcolonial influence. Among its columns standfive sculptures representingLaw, Justice, Labor, Perseverance, andDuty. These allegorical figures were sculpted by Italian artistGaetano Olivari in1915.
This floor also houses thePresident's office, which features two doors — one leading to thesecretarial offices, and another to aprivate library. Inside the library, aprivate staircase leads to thepresidential residence on the third floor. One of the most striking elements of the office is thefrieze, which displays agallery of medallions with the faces of formerPanamanian presidents. These medallions are placed throughout various parts of the building and include blank ones reserved for future leaders.
This is one of the most important rooms in the palace, as it hostsofficial state ceremonies. The frieze of the room is decorated with41 portraits of Panama’searly governors, members of theProvisional Government Junta, andManuel Amador Guerrero, the country’s first president.
One of the main attractions of this room is a series ofeleven murals that graphically depict thehistory of Panama. These murals begin with thearrival of the Spanish, theencounter ofVasco Núñez de Balboa with theSouth Sea, and Panama’sindependence. Another notable mural is anallegory of the Panamanian nation, represented as a woman dressed in apollera, receiving homage from ships of many nations. These works were painted by Panamanian artistRoberto Lewis (1874–1949).
Located next to the Yellow Room, this is thepresidential dining hall. It is decorated with large murals depicting theharvest of tamarinds andhunting scenes fromTaboga Island. These murals were commissioned in1938 by PresidentJuan Demóstenes Arosemena and painted byRoberto Lewis.
NamedBelisario Porras in honor of the former president, this is one of the newest rooms in the palace. It serves as ameeting space forCabinet Ministers and special guests. The room is equipped withcutting-edgemultimediatechnology,acoustic insulation, andsecurity systems.
The presidential residence is located on thethird floor of the palace, where the president and their family live. The area includes areception room,five bedrooms (including the master suite), asmall kitchen,private dressing room,family living room with abalcony overlooking theBay of Panama, aprivate study, and anEnglish-style dining room.
One of the most treasured features is theMoorish Room, designed in the style of thePalace of Aranjuez and theAlhambra inSpain.
8°57′14″N79°32′04″W / 8.953966°N 79.534364°W /8.953966; -79.534364
