Panama’s capital city marks 500th anniversary of founding

The Associated Press

6 years ago

A person waves a Panama flag during the activities celebrating the 500 anniversary of the found ... — A person waves a Panama flag during the activities celebrating the 500 anniversary of the founding of Panama City, at the site of the ruins of Old Panama, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. The city was founded on August 15, 1519 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Davila. On Jan. 28 1671, the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan attacked the city and destroyed it. The attack caused the city to be rebuilt a few kilometers to the west on a new site. (AP Photo/Eric Batista)

A woman takes a picture a butterfly that is standing on her hat, during the activities celebrating the 500 anniversary of the founding of Panama City, at the site of the ruins of Old Panama, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. The city was founded on August 15, 1519 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Davila. On Jan. 28 1671, the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan attacked the city and destroyed it. The attack caused the city to be rebuilt a few kilometers to the west on a new site. (AP Photo/Eric Batista)

A man dressed as old colonial Spaniard rides a horse during the activities celebrating the 500 anniversary of the founding of Panama City, at the site of the ruins of Old Panama, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. The city was founded on August 15, 1519, by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Davila. On Jan. 28 1671, the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan attacked the city and destroyed it. The attack caused the city to be rebuilt a few kilometers to the west on a new site. (AP Photo/Eric Batista)

In July 28, 2019 photo, actors perform in front of the old wall that protected the Casco Viejo of Panama City, ahead of the 500 anniversary of the founding of the City. This second city was built on a peninsula completely isolated by the sea and a defensive system of walls. On the eve of the 500 anniversary of the founding of Panama City, this place preserves the first institutions and buildings of the modern city of Panama. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

In this photo taken on Sunday, July 28, 2019, with Panama City’s skyline on the background, men sit on the balcony of a restaurant in the Casco Viejo, ahead of the 500 anniversary of the foundation of Panama City. Casco Viejo was built on a peninsula completely isolated by the sea and a defensive system of walls. On the eve of the 500 anniversary of the founding of Panama City, this place preserves the first institutions and buildings of the modern city of Panama. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

PANAMA CITY — Panama City is marking the 500th anniversary of its founding by the Spanish on Aug. 15, 1519.

Big blue butterflies and smaller orange and black ones were released by the hundreds to mark the day when Pedro Arias de Avila founded the city.

The city’s old center, known as the Casco Viejo, was declared a World Heritage Site in 2003. The city’s center was moved there from a nearby site, known as Old Panama, in the 1670s after a fire.

There were parades and folk dancing shows Thursday as part of the celebrations, and actors dressed up as historical figures.