The Palacio de las Garzas (Herons’ Palace) is the official residence of the President of the Republic.
The Palace of the Herons was originally built in 1673 as one of the first major buildings in the new location for Panama City following the destruction of the original city during Henry Morgan’s attack. Initially built as the home for the Spanish governor, it served as a warehouse and school, A Royal Court, a customs house and headquarters for the National bank, before finally becoming the Presidential palace in 1855.
In 1922, work began on reconstruction, in order to strengthen its colonial characteristics, and a second upper floor was added. The architect Villanueva-Meyer reshaped the great hall of state known as the Yellow Room, the presidential dining room and patio, and the Andalusian patio on the second floor. He also added a third floor to make it the Presidential residence which has a beautiful lounge and spectacular Moorish balconies.
It is called the Palace of the Herons, because in 1922, President Arnulfo Arias was presented with a a pair of white herons by the journalist, politician and former President, Belisario Porras. These were placed in the large courtyard at the palace, where they and their descendants have remained to this day.
Amongst some of the most famous features of the palace are the Andaluz Spanish Patio, designed by Villanueva, which features decorative plasterwork, tiled fountains, colums and rustic wooden furniture. The ‘Yellow Room’ is the most important state room in the palace, it is the ceremonial center of the presidency and is immersed in the history of Panama. All the important acts of state are conducted in this room. Forty-one portraits, some dating to the nineteenth century, decorate the walls of the room as well as the mural by Robert Lewis, depicting the history of Panama, from the arrival of the Spanish and the meeting of Balboa on the Pacific Ocean, to the formation of Panama as an independent nation.
The Tamarind Lounge is the presidential dining room and includes more murals by Robert Lewis, depicting life in the tropical island of Taboga in the Pacific. These murals were restored in 1996. The third floor is the residential area of the palace, where the First Family has its private rooms. Worth mentioning is the Moorish Hall, also designed by Villanueva in the style of the palaces of Aranjuez and the Alhambra in Spain, which is one of only 3 Moorish halls in the world.
A fascinating selection of images and more information on the history and architecture of the palace can be found at http://www.presidencia.gob.pa/datos-de-palacio.html.
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