Melissa’s Soapbox

The presidential palace, El Palacio de las Garzas (the Palace of the Herons), overlooks Panama Bay and is the actual residence of the president (currently Martin Torrijos).  With its Spanish colonial architecture and central courtyard built in traditional Andalusian style, the building was first constructed in 1673 soon after Panama City was moved to Casco Viejo.  Over the centuries the building has gone through numerous additions and modifications including the addition of a second floor in 1922, and then later a third floor.  Along with renovations, the building has also served many different purposes.  Originally the palace housed the Spanish Governor of Panama.  The mansion has also been a school, the Royal Court House, a customs building, The House of Government, and the main offices of the National Bank of Panama.

The building became known as the Palace of the Herons in 1922 when poet Ricardo Miro presented two white herons to friend and then President Belisario Porras.  The herons took up residence in the main courtyard and a tradition was established.  Rumor has it that when Jimmy Carter traveled to Panama in 1977 to sign the treaty with Omar Torrijos, a major snafu occurred.  Allegedly, the U.S. security detail in preparation of Carter’s arrival sprayed the courtyard with a disinfectant which accidentally killed the herons and replacements were snuck in under the cover of night to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation.

No tour of a Presidential palace is complete without a stop at the official Presidential Parking Space . . .

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