Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (31) altar (27) beautiful (18) Viejo (15) Panama (15) history (15) Casco (14) visit (13) Iglesia (12) Beautiful (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Debi S. 9 months ago on Google • 1733 reviews
    Stunning church in the middle of Casio Viejo in Panama. The massive Golden Altar (or Altar de Oro) of Iglesia San Jose is remarkable in its own right. The towering structure isn’t actually solid gold–it’s carved mahogany that has been covered in gold leaf (and paint). But it looks every bit as opulent as you’d think. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about it is the story about why it’s still around to see. It survived the pirate Henry Morgan’s sacking of Panama Viejo in 1671. Legend has it that a priest disguised it by painting it black and then convinced Morgan that it had already been stolen. When the coast was clear, and after Panama Viejo was abandoned in the wake of Morgan’s raid, the altar was later moved to its present location in Iglesia San Jose, one of Casco Viejo’s many churches. Today, Iglesia San Jose (Church of San Joseph) is surrounded, like most of Casco Viejo, by a mix of crumbling ruins and beautifully renovated buildings. Iglesia San Jose dates to 1673 and features a series of heavy, ornate altar pieces lining its walls and alcoves. But despite the draw of the Golden Altar, the church hasn’t been restored to the extent of some of the others, something you’ll quickly notice when you feel the oppressive heat and humidity inside.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Elle V. 4 years ago on Google • 89 reviews
    A beautiful experience. Without a tour guide my friends and I stumbled upon the church as we walked through the old town of Casco Viego. We were uncertain that we could go in but when we did, we were not ready for the wealth of history we were about to be exposed to. A nice gentleman approached us offering a free tour. Everything was beautiful but what stood out mostly was the nativity. It was said to have taken four days to be built by one person. It told the entire story of Jesus' birth and was simply gorgeous. Another breathtaking scene was the gold at the altar to the front of the church. The detail was everything! To think it was painted in black as a disguise when Henry Morgan (I think) came during the time of the gold rush back then. It was just amazing!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daniel C. 4 years ago on Google • 854 reviews
    This is a beautiful church with a small museum, including an enormous "nativity", telling the full story of Jesus's life.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karin S. 2 months ago on Google • 552 reviews New
    The Church of Saint Joseph in Panama City was constructed following the destruction of Panama Viejo in 1671 by Pirates under Captain Henry Morgan and the move by the Order of St. Augustine to the new location of Casco Viejo. The church contains the famous Golden Altar which is considered one of the greatest treasures of Panama. The altar is made of carved wood and is covered in gold leaf. Originally this was in a church in Panama Viejo, but when Morgan attacked the city the Jesuits painted the altar black to hide the gold. This deceived the pirates into thinking it was worthless so was not touched. The altar was then moved to the new church in the present location. Both, church and altar are dedicated to St. Joseph.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 lanster 1 year ago on Google • 228 reviews
    Beautiful church in the heart of old town Panama City. Ornate decor. Step into another room and they have setup a large display of biblical towns/villages. A very cool piece of history.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karla Andrea Lau G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful representation of the joyful mysteries in miniature. The life of Jesus since the announcement. (Original) Hermosa representacion de los misterios gozozos en miniatura. La vida de Jesus desde la anunciación.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tatiana Rodríguez A. 4 years ago on Google
    Located in Casco. Beautiful church with interesting history behind.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicolas Aguilar M. 9 months ago on Google
    This place has amazing history about how they protected the golden altar from captain Morgan and it still keeps many original pieces.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 RC C. 4 years ago on Google
    Made out of gold. Only church captain Henry Morgan didn't loot
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jorge A Caballero S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very beautiful church, in heritage conservation area. It has many images of the time of the colonies and a beautiful birth representation. (Original) Iglesia muy hermosa, en área de conservación patrimonial. Tiene muchas imágenes del tiempo de las colonias y una representación de nacimiento hermosa.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Solomone S. 1 year ago on Google • 876 reviews
    A must visit. Incredible. Amazing. Divine atmosphere.

  • 5/5 balooko31 3 months ago on Google • 281 reviews New
    Nice old church, make sure you go to the room to the right of the altar to see the special exhibits.

  • 5/5 Mihavit 2 months ago on Google • 187 reviews New
    This church is very nice. A lot to see & read here. This place holds some history especially that golden alter.

  • 4/5 Ali W. 4 years ago on Google • 105 reviews
    Gold altars and a nativity display made this visit a very memorable one. There is rich history in this church. Be sure to visit once you come to Casca Vieja in Panama

  • 5/5 asta l. 5 years ago on Google • 64 reviews
    Amazing place with long and interesting history, very spiritual and beautiful. Definitely worth to visit if you are in Panama.

  • 5/5 Edwin V. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Historic church known as the Golden Altar Church, which survived pirate attacks in colonial times. (Original) Histórica iglesia conocida como iglesia del altar de oro, que sobrevivió a los ataques de los piratas en la época colonial.

  • 5/5 Diego P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent place!!! (Original) Excelente lugar!!!

  • 5/5 Cesar J. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Church located in the area of ​​the Old Town of Panama. (Original) Iglesia ubicada en la zona del Casco Antiguo de Panamá.

  • 5/5 Erika N. Figueroa C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very beautiful artistic work (Original) Muy bella obra artística

  • 5/5 Juan Miguel H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful church. Good concerts (Original) Hermosa iglesia. Buenos conciertos.

  • 5/5 Orlando F. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) For those who are going to make a long connection in Panama City ... it is worth taking a tour of the city ... and especially visiting the São José Church ... very beautiful ... (Original) Pra quem for fazer uma conexão longa em Panamá City ...vale a pena fazer um tour pela cidade...e conhecer principalmente a Igreja São José...muito bonita...

  • 5/5 Olista01 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice (Original) Schön

  • 5/5 Mardiray 6 years ago on Google
    This Catholic Church has a splendid baroque altar that absolutely glitters. There are a number of side chapels, each with its own high-relief scene. There is a secondary silver altar to one side that also should not be missed. There’s a small souvenir concession just to the right of the entrance. Don’t forget to remove your hat!

  • 5/5 Charly T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A Church with a rich history and full of beauty without a doubt a place to visit. (Original) Una Iglesia con una historia riquísima y llena de belleza sin dudas un lugar a visitar.

  • 5/5 Aylen M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful (Original) Hermosa

  • 5/5 allison h. 7 months ago on Google
    This historic treasure was beautiful to see. It is in the heart of Casca Viejo.

  • 4/5 Ray M. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely place, definitely worth a visit

  • 5/5 CAMILO F. 1 year ago on Google
    Totally awesome! Worth seeing! This church is in the old city of Panama. This area is being refurbished and their are many beautiful hotels and old buildings to explore.

  • 5/5 Maria Luisa Ovalle H. 4 years ago on Google
    One of the 7 churches of the Casco Viejo riches in culture and history.

  • 5/5 outlaw g. 2 years ago on Google
    Exceptional experience. A must vist

  • 5/5 M B. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful location and the nativity miniature recreation was wonderful.

  • 5/5 Mauricio M. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful church with an exceptional altars

  • 5/5 Adrian S. 2 years ago on Google
    The church was absolutely wonderful, had a lovely smell and a huge Christians crib/nativity scene.

  • 5/5 Hector E. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice, clean and it's free to visit.

  • 5/5 Max 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely place .. peaceful and historical..

  • 5/5 Carolina C. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit , know some history and walk around

  • 5/5 Nina R. 1 year ago on Google
    So much history, and beautiful architecture.

  • 4/5 reinhiller 1 year ago on Google
    The gold alter is the oldest relic. Beautiful restoration.

  • 4/5 Sarah N. 1 year ago on Google
    Very beautiful, make sure you take a look in the back room

  • 4/5 Grzegorz K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A must-see during the visit to the Old Town! The "Golden Altar" may not bring people from Europe on their knees, but it is worthwhile looking at it to read the story related to it while cooling down in an air-conditioned interior. The inquisitive will find an additional room in which the nativity scene is permanently set up. The greatest fun for me when visiting this nativity scene is searching for elements that do not match the context. In this church you can also find some decorative elements from the cathedral ... why here? (Original) Obowiązkowy pkt programu wizyty na Starym Mieście! " Złoty ołtarz " przybywających z Europy może nie powalić na kolana, ale warto patrząc na niego zapoznać się z opowieścią związaną z nim jednocześnie ochładzając się w klimatyzowanym wnętrzu. Dociekliwi znajdą dodatkowe pomieszczenie w którym na stałe jest ustawiona szopka. Mi największej frajdy przy odwiedzaniu tej szopki dostarcza wyszukiwanie elementów zupełnie nie pasujących do kontekstu. W tym kościele można też znaleść kilka elementów wystroju z katedry... dla czego tu?

  • 5/5 Sanel C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The famous golden altar (Original) El famoso altar de oro

  • 5/5 Erwin Lenin Reyes O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent (Original) Excelente

  • 5/5 Marcial M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is one of the national treasures. Worthy of admiration (Original) Es uno de los tesoros nacionales. Digno de admirar

  • 5/5 Thelma A. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful place (Original) Hermoso lugar

  • 5/5 Juan Ignacio Nuñez S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Sacred!! (Original) Sagrado!!

  • 4/5 Vincent S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) In addition to the famous golden altar you must visit the birth (Original) Además del famoso altar de oro deben visitar el nacimiento

  • 4/5 Alfred N. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Historic place (Original) Lugar histórico

  • 5/5 Wellington R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Too beautiful church, and its golden altar is beautiful! (Original) Igreja linda demais, e o seu altar de ouro é belo!

  • 5/5 Stefany P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful place (Original) Hermoso lugar

  • 5/5 Eduardo G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It was in this Church where I got married ... Every time I have to work in Casco Viejo, my obligatory stop is the Church of the Golden Altar. Thanks be to GOD for his blessings. (Original) Fue en esta Iglesia donde me Case... Cada vez que me toca trabajar en el Casco Viejo mi parada obligada es la Iglesia del Altar de Oro. Gracias a DIOS por sus bendiciones.

  • 5/5 Μαρία �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A traditional Catholic church full of people, children in a very warm and respectful environment. It is worth a visit. (Original) Una iglesia tradicional catolica llena de gente, niños en un ambiente muy calido y respetuoso. Vale la pena una visita.

  • 5/5 mea d. 4 years ago on Google
    So beautiful, must see even if you are not religious.

  • 5/5 Carlos R. 4 years ago on Google
    One of the must-see historic churches. Don't miss the nativity scene (through the Sacristy).

  • 5/5 Sylvia F. 4 years ago on Google
    One of Panamá's most visited tourist attractions. Famous for it's Golden altar. Lot of history here. A must see.

  • 4/5 Warren M. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful architecture. Shows how the catholic church economically prospers even in poor neighborhoods

  • 5/5 Sophia W. 4 years ago on Google
    It was a beauty to behold. I heard the story and i had to visit. It was worth it

  • 5/5 Stelios A. 4 years ago on Google
    A must see in Casco Viejo! If you find yourself in San Jose, look for the very friendly deacon and ask him to tell you the churches' story.

  • 5/5 Hans S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The church of San Jose is one of the must-see places if Cas Cas Viejo is in Panama City. The altar of the San José Church, located in the Old Town of Panama City, was one of the great treasures of gold that the English pirate Henry Morgan could not reach during the looting he led in the seventeenth century, thanks to the Picardy of a friar who painted it black with a tar-like substance. The temple of colonial and interior structure with baroque and indigenous details, which stands on Avenida A and Calle Octava, is one of the most visited in the Casco. Tourists from all over the world marvel at its stained glass windows in the Italian city of Florence, installed in 1963, which represent Santa Rita de Casia, San Agustin, the Virgin of Consolation and San José. However, all those who visit the city receive versions of the imposing altar of gold, whose conservation is for many a historical fact and for others a legend. (Original) La iglesia de San Jose es una de las visitas obligadas si cas a Casco Viejo en ciudad de Panamá. El altar de la Iglesia San José, ubicada en el Casco Antiguo de la Ciudad Panamá, fue uno de los grandes tesoros de oro a los que no pudo llegar el pirata inglés Henry Morgan durante los saqueos que encabezó en el siglo XVII, gracias a la picardía de un fraile que lo pintó de negro con una sustancia parecida al alquitrán. El templo de estructura colonial e interior con detalles barrocos e indígenas, que se alza en la Avenida A y Calle Octava, es uno de los más visitados del Casco. Turistas de todo el mundo se maravillan con sus vitrales confeccionados en la ciudad italiana de Florencia, instalados en 1963, que representan a Santa Rita de Casia, San Agustín, la Virgen de la Consolación y San José. Sin embargo, a todo aquel que visita la ciudad le llegan versiones sobre el imponente altar mayor, de oro, cuya conservación es para muchos un hecho histórico y para otros una leyenda.

  • 5/5 Randy M. 6 years ago on Google
    Absolutely breathtaking beauty inside. One of the most magnificent old churches I have seen

  • 5/5 Zoraida C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It contains a lot of history and a gigantic birth where they tell the life of Jesus. (Original) Contiene mucha historia y un gigantesco nacimiento donde cuentan la vida de Jesus.

  • 5/5 Erwin B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very enriching (Original) Muy enriquecedor

  • 5/5 Ever M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A historic and very beautiful place (Original) Un lugar histórico y muy bonito

  • 5/5 Cheryl P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful. Everyone who goes must offer to take care of it. (Original) Hermosísima. Todo el q va debe ofrendar para el cuidado de la misma.

  • 5/5 Yesika M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I loved!! (Original) Me encantó!!

  • 5/5 sergio ochoa a. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A great place (Original) Un lugar fenomenal

  • 5/5 Roberto D. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Historic Church and national emblem (Original) Histórica Iglesia y emblema nacional

  • 5/5 Yashwa e. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I dont know (Original) no se

  • 4/5 Huang Chun T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) There is an interesting legend that when the pirates came to snatch the city, the valuables of the church were thrown into the sea, and the pirates were told that the church was being built, and the pirates were required to donate to the church! As a result, the pirate said that the priest was more like a pirate than he was. (Original) 這有個有趣的傳說,傳說海盜來搶奪這個城市的時候,教堂值錢的東西都丟到海裡,騙海盜說這個教堂正在蓋,要海盜捐款給這個教堂!結果海盜有趣的說這個神父比他還像海盜⋯⋯

  • 5/5 Gloria P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Historic catholic church (Original) Iglesia Católica histórica

  • 5/5 Ferney R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very religious (Original) Muy religioso

  • 5/5 Guillermo Acosta T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The altar has a whole history and is very beautiful. The only thing is that you should have more information about some wooden statues as to their possible date and what you want them to be. (Original) El altar tiene toda una historia y es muy bello. Lo único es que debería tener más información sobre unas estatuas de madera en cuanto a su posible fecha y quieres eran.

  • 5/5 Ginela V. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a beautiful church (Original) Es una iglesia muy bella

  • 5/5 Mario A. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The golden altar is a luxury to see (Original) El altar de oro es un lujo de ver

  • 5/5 eliseo c. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It has a lot of history about panama. (Original) Tiene mucha historia sobre panama.


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance

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