⛪ Portobelo Churches

About This Sacred Site

The churches of Portobelo, particularly the Church of San Felipe, house the famous Black Christ (Cristo Negro), a life-sized wooden statue of Jesus that is the focus of Panama's largest annual religious festival. Every October 21st, tens of thousands of purple-clad pilgrims walk to Portobelo from across Panama to honor the Black Christ, credited with numerous miracles. Portobelo's colonial fortifications and churches form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Key Facts

• •The Black Christ statue arrived mysteriously in Portobelo, according to legend, in the 17th century
• •The Festival of the Black Christ on October 21st draws over 60,000 pilgrims
• •Pilgrims walk for days, many on their knees, to reach the statue
• •Portobelo was a key port for the Spanish treasure fleet carrying New World gold
• •The colonial fortifications and churches are a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Location

Coordinates: 9.5550, -79.6536