Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol, Spanish colonial church in Natá, Panama.
The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol is a Spanish colonial church in Natá featuring a stone facade and wooden columns made of nispero hardwood. Its spacious interior holds six ornately carved side altars.
Construction of this church began in 1522 during Spanish colonization, making it one of the oldest functioning religious structures in the Americas. It has survived centuries of change and remains a testament to early colonial architecture.
Local artisans created detailed wood carvings throughout the church, incorporating indigenous motifs such as fruits, leaves, and feathered serpents into the altar designs. These works show how local artistic traditions merged with the religious demands of Spanish colonial times.
The church is accessible during mass times and special events, reached by following the Panamericana highway to Natá town center. It helps to plan your visit around local mass schedules to maximize your time there.
The interior holds a controversial 1758 painting of the Holy Trinity by José Samaniego depicting three identical Christ figures instead of traditional representations. This unusual artwork still draws attention from visitors wondering what the artist intended with this unconventional interpretation.
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