From the Top of Panama City…..Cerro Ancon

Cerro Ancon

Before 1904, Cerro Ancon, or Ancon Hill, was a place of recreation for Panamanians.  To escape the heat, early residents would climb the hill to enjoy cooler temperatures and to appreciate the beautiful landscape.  However, when the Americans secured the canal, they ended public access and these escapes from the heat came to an abrupt end

The hill also signified life.  Between the years of 1672 to 1686, the city was relocated to the “new city,” Casco Antiguo, after the original one was destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan. This allowed the springs of Cerro Ancon to provide potable water for residents.  The town of El Chorillo was actually named after one of these streams. Famous buildings that include the Gorgas Hospital, the Canal Administration building, and the residence of the Canal Administrator, were constructed on the lower slopes of the hills.   One side of the hill became known as Quarry Heights because it grew into a quarry that provided materials for the construction of the locks of Miraflores and Pedro Miguel.

In 1914, after the inauguration of the Canal, the Panama Canal Commission transferred Cerro Ancon to the United States Army to be used as a barracks and residences for troops and military police. On October 1, 1979, after the Torrijos-Carter treaty took effect, Cerro Ancon was reverted back to Panama.  A great national flag sits atop of Cerro Ancon symbolizing the pride of generations of Panamanians that fought the patriotic fight over sovereignty. This flag is unique because it is the size of a basketball court and, unlike most flags, not lowered at 6PM nightly; it is only lowered to half-mast at times of national sorrow. Also atop of Cerro Ancon are several communication antennas, a ranger station, and a great homage to the poet Amelia Denis de Icaza.  Cerro Ancon provides a spectacular view of Panama City, the canal, the Causeway, Casco Viejo, and the Bahia de Panama.  Reaching the summit of Cerro Ancon by foot would take approximately 30 to 40 minutes.  This can be a very refreshing and gratifying walk as you will be able to appreciate the ample and varied vegetation along the road.  There are also numerous animals that inhabit Cerro Ancon. Unfortunately, some of these animals like the armadillo, the Titi Monkey, the white tailed deer, the green iguana, and the boa constrictor, are all on the endangered species list.

How to Get Here:
There are two ways.  On foot, you can take the route from Mi Pueblito.  Additionally, you can also drive up Cerro Ancon by taking the bypass street that goes from the Supreme Court building towards the Canal Administration building.  You should be careful on this road because it is windy and pedestrians sometimes walk here.

Tags: Bird Watching, Casco Antiguo, Flag, history, Humidity, Nature, Panama Canal, Panama City

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 10:40 am and is filed under Panama Canal, Panama City, travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.