Palacio de las Garzas

Palacio de las Garzas (Herons' Palace) is the governmental residence of the President of Panama during his/her mandate. It receives its name because herons were brought in in 1922 by President Belisario Porras at the suggestion of friend and famed Panamanian poet Ricardo Miro [http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2003/07/13/hoy/revista/1125533.html Article on herons at Panamanian newspaper La Prensa] .The interior courtyukard that serves as vestibule was then remodeled in the style of an Andalusian courtyard and the herons roam the courtyard freely.

The Palacio de las Garzas was officially inaugurated on August 3, 1923. However, it was not until 1938 that it was acquired totally when the National Bank moved to its new headquarters located at Central Avenue. This transaction was in processed since 1936 through an exchange with the Panamanian State.

The residence is located in the Old Quarter of Panama City (Casco Viejo) which was built after the old city was destroyed just prior and during the sacking by pirate Henry Morgan. It has served as the residence and main office for all Panamanian presidents except for the last three (Martin Torrijos, Mireya Moscoso, and Ernesto Perez Balladares) who have chosen to keep their residences elsewhere in the city and commute to the Palace.

Some of its famous rooms include the Salón Amarillo (Yellow Room) where most formal events are held, the Salón de los Tamarindos (Tamarinds's tree)and the Salón Morisco (Moorish Room). This room was added in 1922 when the most extensive renovations to the building took place under the supervision of architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer. Works included the Andalusian courtyard, the addition of a third floor and two towers. The Moorish room is located in one of these towers. An elevator was added in 1934 for a State visit by US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt so that he could access the chambers where he was to stay. [http://www.alonsoroy.com/pn/pn28.html Webpage of Panamanian Scholar Alonso Roy on the Presidential Palace]

Other work was performed under the presidency of Ernesto Perez Balladares (1994-1999), most notably the refurbishing of the room used for cabinet meetings. First Lady Dora Boyd de Perez Balladares also coordinated the publication of a very well researched pictorial book on the building with the proceeds from the sales of the book going to charity.

Salón Amarillo (Yellow Room)The new presidential house replaced the old Customs offices due to the Law No. 4 approved on January 19, 1885. The remodeling works started and in the upper level of the building another room would be added for official events, the other rooms would be used by the president and his family members. A Colombian artist, Epifanio Garay, was in charged of painting the portraits of all presidents since 1855.

Salón de los Tamarindos (Tamarinds' Room)Its name comes from the murals that decorate this room where Roberto Lewis inspired his ideas on Taboga Island and its famous tamarind trees. This work was asked in 1938 by Juan Demóstenes Arosemena, the president of that period.

Salón Morisco (Moorish Room)Its name comes from the murals that decorate this room where Roberto Lewis inspired his ideas on Taboga Island and its famous tamarind trees. This work was asked in 1938 by Juan Demóstenes Arosemena, the president of that period.