Plaza de la Independencia sits at the heart of Casco Viejo, anchored by the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua. Framed by colonial-era buildings and long-standing civic institutions, the plaza has served as a gathering place for public life and ceremony for centuries.

It was here that Panama declared its independence from Spain in 1821, giving the square its lasting significance. The cathedral’s stone façade, lined with statues and flanked by bell towers, stands as both a spiritual and architectural focal point, grounding the open space in permanence.

Together, the plaza and cathedral reflect Panama’s layered history—where faith, governance, and everyday life continue to intersect in the open air.