nata church

This church claims to be the oldest operating church in the Americas. It's wooden structure including beams to the high vaulted ceiling and inherit beauty make it a marvel. On the day we visited a guide was there from the church to explain it all to us--in Spanish. To think it started to be built only 30 years after Columbus discovered America. A must see and worth a detour to do it.

I know, I know - how many times has this claim been made? But this church has the credentials - 1504 - written Spanish documents - and a shell overing the wooden beams and carvings make this a believable claim.It is really the only thing to see in Natå - (pronounced with the emphasis on the last "a") - but the church is pretty amazing. It is quite large - a cathedral by 1500 standards - with a balcony. The altar and carvings are very detailed and well worth exploring. The pope was supposed to come over to bless this 500 year old church last year but negotiations with the last President of Panama broke down somewhere along the line. Cuba won out instead. Go past Penonomé (named "the pain of Nomé" after the tortured Indian chief who refused to tell the Spanish where the town gold was hidden) and turn left off the main highway about half way to Aguadulce (sweet water) - and drive into town - it is the largest building anywhere around - just ask - it's not hard to find.