The Ministry of Culture, led by Minister María Eugenia Herrera, has taken a significant step towards the conservation of Panama's cultural heritage with the surrender of an order to proceed with the restoration of the iconic fortifications of the Caribbean, located at Portobelo, province of Colón. That effort, which forms part of the program of support to the cultural and natural heritage, aims to preserve and put into an exceptional value this key historic site.

Following years of stagnation, projects to restore Portobelo's historic heritage, awarded in April 2022 and February 2023, have been re-established. In just six months, the Ministry of Culture recapped outstanding contracts, with the signing and surrender of orders to conduct on 28 October 2024 and 17 and 21 January 2025, marking a milestone in the preservation of the national historic legacy.

During the surrender of the order of conduct, Minister María Eugenia Herrera emphasized the positive impact of these works on the preservation of the historic heritage and economic dynamic of the region. He emphasized that close work with the local community will be undertaken to keep them up to date and to generate opportunities for sustainable development.

Restoration of the castle of Santiago de la Gloria and Fort of Santiago

The project for the castle of Santiago de la Gloria and the fort of Santiago, situated at Portobelo Bay, also marks a milestone in the recovery of cultural heritage. The project, run by the contract N ° 003-2023, has an investment of B / .3,971,950.97, financed by loan from the BID. The works include advanced technical studies, design and emergency consolidation to protect the historic infrastructure, with an implementation period of 750 days and date of completion estimated by 17 November 2026, to be charged by the HECIIT.

Restoration of Fort San Jerónimo

The restoration of Fort San Jerónimo is a part of the contract N ° 004-2024 with a total value of B / .9,510,191.93, financed through a combination of local funds and the Inter-American Development Bank (BID). The works include preliminary studies, design, research and supply of materials essential to the intervention and are run within a period of 780 calendar days with an estimated date of end on March 8, 2027. The company ASCH Infrastructures and Services Panama, S.A. is the contractor in charge of this important project.

The project is run under the program BID PN-L1146, that supports the conservation and management of Panama's cultural heritage. architect Joel Coras, Director of the Office of the historic centre of Colón, emphasized that this initiative is part of a more comprehensive strategy to protect and restore historic sites in the country.

Restoration of Fort San Fernando

The Fort San Fernando, situated at Portobelo, is also the subject of an important restoration project. That effort, run under the contract N ° 003-2024 and with an investment of B / .6,814,562.17, has a period of 780 calendar days, with an estimated date of completion of 12 March 2027.

The works of the contractor Proyectos, Ejección and Control de Ebras, S.A. cover structural stabilization, architectural restoration and implementation of measures to protect the fort from environmental and climate threats.

Additional projects at Portobelo

The projects are part of an integrated approach to the conservation and valuation of Caribbean fortifics. Panama guarantees their conservation and is complying with the UNESCO's set up to get out of the list at risk, strengthening the cultural, tourism and sustainable development of the communities of the area.

Minister María Eugenia Herrera stated that these interventions seek to avoid the degradation of monuments and to ensure that they continue to be historic and cultural references for future generations, "With these efforts, the Panamanian Government reaffirms its commitment to the preservation of its history by ensuring that next generations can enjoy and appreciate these cultural treasures."added the Minister.