Christopher Columbus on his fourth and final voyage, reached on November 2nd, 1502 a beautiful bay, that he named Puerto Bello.
Diego de Nicuesa, was given the distinction by the Spanish as the discoverer of "Puerto Bello", what he officially named it, since he actually entered the harbor and explored the area in 1509.
On July 29, 1572, Francis Drake, captured the town of Nombre de Diós. After a bloody battle, he was able to defeat the defenders. Shortly there after, reinforcements arrived from Panamá, Drake was wounded, and they had to retreat, without much loot.
In August, 1595, with a fleet of 26 ships, Drake set out to Panama again, hoping to take Nombre de Diós and the city of Panama. Crossing the isthmus on the Camino Real, his forces were stopped, by well prepared Spaniards. When they got back to Nombre de Diós, they proceeded to burn the city, and then sailed to Puerto Bello. Drake got sick on the way, and died. On January 29, 1596, he was buried at sea in the harbor.
The celebration of the Festival of The Black Christ began around 1821 in Portobello, Panama. This festival has been said to attract more than 50,000 pilgrims each year!
Kunas and their molas on Portobello narrow streets.
Forts walls are made with Coral reef.
The Congos (a centuries'-old Panamanian dance genre mixing African and Spanish traditions).
Congo dancer at Portobello.
In 1586, the Italian engineer, Juan Bautista Antonelli, was sent by the King of Spain, to examine the different ports in the Caribbean, and make suggestions on how to improve them. After noting the excellent port facilities and defensible terrain of Portobelo, he wrote to King Felipe of his findings. "If it might please your Majesty, it would be a good idea that the city of Nombre de Diós be brought and built in this harbor".
The king ordered the move, and San Felipe de Puertovelo was founded on March 20, 1597 by Don Francisco de Valverde y Mercado. He was a factor of New Spain (Mexico) and a comisario.
The Spanish, considered Porto Bello to have the finest harbor in the Americas. "El puerto es el mejor, mas limpio, capaz y seguro de todas las Indias", from a quote by a Spaniard in 1607.
Puertobelo was well defended, by some natural defenses and a series of fortresses, constructed by the Spaniards.
At the mouth of the Chagre River for another massive fort. San Lorenzo
King Phillip II ordered the fortress of San Lorenzo to be built in 1595, which is located on the Chagres River commanding a view of the mouth of the river and miles out to sea.
Black Christ of Portobello
Old Canon
Swimming at a small cove in the Caribbean waters of Portobello
