Church of the golden altar.Church of San José.Casco Viejo in Panamá city Panamá
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Peter van Evert / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
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The Church of San Jose in Casco Viejo, or La Inglesia de San Jose, is one of the most prominent points of interest in the old city. It is home to the famous Golden Altar. The outside of the building will almost make you think that you are in the wrong place, as its exterior is not nearly as ornate as its Golden Altar inside. The Golden Altar is actually made of carved wood that was overlaid with gold flake. The Altar de Oro was originally inside a church in Panama La Vieja. Legend has it that when the English pirate Henry Morgan attacked the city, the Jesuit priests in the Order of St. Augustine painted the Golden Altar black to hide the gold from the pirates. Morgan sacked and burned Panama La Vieja and the Order of St. Augustine moved the altar to the new church in Casco Viejo, its present day location. Inside the bell tower is where you’ll find the altar. Also, side altars, also made of hand carved wood and covered with gold flake, are located all about in the church. Stained glass covers the windows and one in particular, Saint Rita of Cascia, who is the Patron Saint of Lost Causes, is often a glass that is photographed.