European Union exhibition celebrates the inscription of the Colonial Transisthmian Route on the UNESCO World Heritage List

The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Portobelo, Carlos Chavarría; the Vice-Governor of Colón, Marisyn Cedeño; as well as representatives from the Patronato de Portobelo y San Lorenzo, the Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Presidency. Students from the UPT Jacoba Urriola Educational Centre also participated in a specially designed guided tour, which offered them an opportunity to connect with the cultural and historical legacy of their region.

The exhibition was presented by the European Union Ambassador to Panama, H.E. Izabela Matusz, who underlined Portobelo’s significance as a point of convergence between Europe and the Americas:

For centuries, Portobelo was a hub of commercial, cultural, and human exchanges between different continents. Through this exhibition, we celebrate not only the international recognition of the Colonial Transisthmian Route, but also our shared commitment to preserving the heritage and the intertwined history of Panama and Europe.

During the event, copies of the Guidebook on the Camino de Cruces and the Camino Real were distributed to students and guests, allowing them to discover the elements that make Portobelo a symbol of Panama’s rich history. The guide and the exhibition “Panama and Europe: Routes that Connect” represent the culmination of the project Cultural routes, Natural crossroads, which stems from the European Union’s recognition of Panama’s crucial role as a meeting point between continents.

Housed in the iconic Customs House of Portobelo—once a centre for the exchange of goods, treasures, people, and ideas—the exhibition will remain open to the public free of charge until 24 July, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will then continue its tour at the City of the Arts, the Panama International Book Fair, and the Panama Viejo Archaeological Site.