The Camino de Cruces and Camino Real Guidebook explains not only the historical context of the routes - from the origin of the roads, through taxes, to the exchanges of goods and people - but also gives practical recommendations on how to explore the roads today, just as our ancestors did.

As part of the Cultural Routes, Natural Crossroads project, the Guide has a high educational and tourist interest, and is therefore useful for both Panamanian citizens and foreign visitors. It promotes a sustainable and respectful tourism both with the environment and with local cultures, which protects the Caminos as meeting points between cultural heritage and natural heritage.

Foreword

Map and overview

Camino de Cruces and Camino Real: historical context

Traveling today along the Transisthmian zone
- Camino de Cruces
- Camino Real
- UNESCO World Heritage sites along the route
- Bonus: Panama Canal

Sustainable cultural tourism

La exhibición "Panamá y Europa: caminos que unen" explora la notable contribución del Camino de Cruces y el Camino Real a los fuertes lazos -históricos, económicos y culturales- entre Panamá y Europa. 

Inaugurada con ocasión del Día de Europa, la exhibición actualmente está abierta al público en el Centro de Arte y Cultura de Colón del 16 al 30 de junio en horario de 9 a.m. a 3 p.m. en días laborales. Más fechas y sitios anunciados aquí.

La exhibición está estrechamente vinculada con la Guía del Camino de Cruces y el Camino Real e invita a reflexionar sobre la trascendencia histórica de la Ruta Colonial Transístmica que Panamá ha nominado a la Lista de Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO.

Entre el 1 y el 3 de abril, el Foro internacional Rutas Culturales en las Américas: la experiencia panameña creó una plataforma de intercambio de prácticas y experiencias en tres temas:

1. Rutas Culturales: redes, gobernanza y sinergias 
2. Interpretación del patrimonio y narración de historias a lo largo de una Ruta Cultural 
3. Participación comunitaria y gestión del turismo a lo largo de una Ruta Cultural.

A través de tres días de sesiones, discusiones y visitas de campo, el evento brindó herramientas prácticas y métodos para crear una estrategia para los próximos pasos a seguir en el desarrollo del proyecto, y facilitará la creación de una red entre expertos y profesionales. Ver agenda completa aquí. 

El intercambio de buenas prácticas y metodologías de gestión de patrimonio cultural y natural contó con más de 90 participantes de Panamá (Ministerio de Cultura, CIHAC, Autoridad de Turismo, Ministerio de Ambiente, sector turístico, profesores de universidad, entre otros), la Unión Europea (España, Portugal, Italia, Malta, Reino Unido/Irlanda) y otros países de América Latina (Perú, Colombia, México, Chile, etc.). 

Las grabaciones de las sesiones está disponible en el canal de YouTube de la Delegación: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKC1_wtaoGWk-rxnR_81sKsh5LQmBBRuH.  

Panama is the natural meeting point of different cultures, between North and South America, with Europe, Africa and Asia. Camino de Cruces and Camino Real have a high importance in historical perspective and as precursors of the current Panama Canal, bringing together diverse cultures, and nature and culture. While vestiges of numerous colonial routes remain, Panama is home to the only trans-isthmic one, linking the two oceans. The universal value of the Route plays a crucial role in its nomination for inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

The project Cultural routes, Natural crossroads of the European Union (EU) aims to support Panama in its important work of protection, recognition and promotion of the Route, while reflecting for the first time on the significant contribution of the Caminos to relations between Panama, Europe and the world. The colonial-era route is a vestige of Europe's diverse cultural influence: first established by the Spanish, in competition with the Portuguese, the routes attracted Irish explorers and English pirates, while the construction of the canal was first attempted by the French.

Hence, the EU has identified the need to undertake actions to exchange knowledge, raise awareness and build community, thus inspiring visits to the sites that make up the Trans-Isthmic Colonial Route, as well as a reflection on issues related to memory and identity. By targeting not only the cultural sector but also the general public, the ultimate objective of the project is to promote rich and fair cultural relations between Panama and the European Union. In addition, the project will promote a fruitful two-way exchange of knowledge and experiences, through parallels with cultural routes in the EU, as well as the dissemination of lessons learnt and good practices from Panama. On the other hand, the roads are partially absorbed by biodiverse flora, which also raises questions about the link between culture and nature, heritage and climate action, and sustainable tourism.

In view of all of the above, the Delegation of the European Union led a consultation and co-design process with Panamanian and European partners between October and December 2023. The project proposal Cultural routes, natural crossroads was first presented to the call of EU National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC), but the high level of competition (only 8 funded proposals out of the 38 received) and ambition of the Panamanian project did not allow it to advance at that time. Subsequently, the Delegation submitted the idea to the call of the Cultural Relations Platform and was one of the 11 selected among the 43 applications submitted. Two renowned experts are implementing the project: from the European side, Dr. Eleonora Berti, and from the Panamanian side, María Isabel Arrocha.

Other activities

• Network of at least 30 professionals in the area of cultural heritage from Europe, Panama and Latin America, who meet at least three times (online or hybrid) during the duration of the project to exchange information and good practices
• Final report based on the conclusions of the fair with a view to measuring the achievement of the objectives and making recommendations

Implementation period

November 2024 – June 2025

Implementation instrument

Cultural Relations Platform, funded by the Foreign Policy Instrument of the European Union

Indicative budget 

50.000 EUR

Partners

Authorities: Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Environment, Tourism Authority, Ministry of Government, Panama Canal 

Cultural sector: CIHAC AIP, Patronato de Panamá Viejo, Patronato de Portobelo y San Lorenzo, Ciudad de Las Artes, Centro de Arte y Cultura de Colón

European Union: Member States in Panama, Agencia de Cooperación Internacional Española (AECID) y Centro Cultural Casa del Soldado, Youth Sounding Board of the EU in Panama, Ukrainian Diaspora in Panama

Final beneficiaries

Actors in cultural and tourism sector 

National and European tourists

Students and youth

Contact person

Ina KOKINOVA Ina.KOKINOVA@eeas.europa.eu