Metropolitan Cathedral in Panama City

Metropolitan Cathedral in Panama City, Panama

The ornate altarpiece of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Panama City, Panama, which we visited during our 2024 Panama trip.

Although this is not the type of church we attend, we stopped in to have a look around, and it was beautiful to see. The full name of the building is the Metropolitan Archcathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua, or Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua de Panamá in Spanish.

Metropolitan Cathedral in Panama City, Panama

One reason that we stopped in was that it was raining outside, and we were looking for a place to be out of the rain. This was the same rain we had seen coming earlier, by the way. But Laura and I also enjoy seeing church buildings such as this, too, because they are much different from our church building at home.

Metropolitan Cathedral in Panama City, Panama

Because we were there on a Thursday, no services were taking place during our visit. There was a small but steady stream of people coming in for a look around, just as we were.

Seeing old places like that, especially houses of worship, is always interesting. Construction was begun on this cathedral in 1688, and it was consecrated in 1796. The altarpiece is from the late 1800s. So this cathedral obviously has a lot of history behind it.

We were happy to get out of the rain, and we were happy to see this interesting cathedral.

Panama Trip 2024
See more from our Panama 2024 Trip!

The Church

As I mentioned above, our church building at home is nowhere near as ornate as the Metropolitan Cathedral in Panama, but that is okay, because we do not go there for the building.

Perhaps you have heard it said before that the church is not the building, but rather the church is the group of people that meets in the building. That is very true, as there is a big difference between the church and the church building.

I am very thankful for the blessing of a good church family. They provide encouragement, support, and friendship, and I hope that I contribute to all of that as well.

I often do not know how people make it without a church family. If you do not have a church family to be blessed by, and to bless others through, I would encourage you to find one!

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. - Galatians 6:9-10 ESV

Blessings

About the Photos

Once again, as with the previous photo, these were processed using Darktable. I am still learning about that one, and there is still lots for me to learn. But I was able to balance the light and dark areas well, and without too much difficulty. It is always fun to learn something new!

Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Darktable.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: Rokinon 35mm f/1.8
Date: October 10, 2024
Location: Panama City, Panama

Burnsland close


wbs

Burnsland Email


Burnsland avatar
About Burnsland
Burnsland is Steve Burns, with generous help from his lovely wife Laura. Steve is a husband, father, photographer, webmaster, writer, podcaster, artist, Christian. Steve enjoys sharing his photography, art, and stories through Burnsland.com, from the Burnsland World Headquarters in Tennessee.