Chagres and Fort San Lorenzo

The site of Chagres and Fort San Lorenzo, located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, is a historically significant archaeological site. Initially discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, the area became pivotal in the Spanish colonial gold trade. Fort San Lorenzo was constructed at the mouth of the Chagres River beginning in 1598 to protect the trans-isthmian trade routes. Despite being attacked and rebuilt over centuries, the site played a crucial role during the 17th and 18th centuries as a strategic defensive structure. The site saw a brief resurgence during the California Gold Rush before being overshadowed by the Panama Railway. Today, the ruins are part of the San Lorenzo Protected Area and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing the remnants of colonial military architecture and its impact on global maritime trade.