Located at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colon port is a vital hub for global trade. As the largest port in Panama, it handles a significant amount of cargo, including containers, vehicles, and bulk cargo. With modern facilities and a strategic location, Colon port is a gateway to the Americas, providing efficient access to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Colon is the main port on the Caribbean coast of Panama. A free trade zone of the Panama Canal, attractive for its duty-free stores
Its architecture is a surprisingly harmonious blend of colonial past, French influence and national flavor. There are quite a few tourist attractions, capable of causing interest even to sophisticated travelers. Neo-Gothic cathedral, a statue of Christopher Columbus, a statue of Christ on the Avenida Central.
In Colón is situated and still operates Panama's oldest railway station. It was opened back in 1909. Near the city is one of the oldest and largest forts built by the Spaniards in Panama, Fort San Lorenzo. It is worth visiting the Chagres National Park, where several Indian tribes still live their primitive life. Excursions to their villages will give you a lot of impressions.
There is a fascinating legend about the creation of the Panama Canal that involves the port of Colon. According to the legend, long before the canal was built, there was a beautiful indigenous princess named Anayansi. She lived near the Chagres River, which was an important transportation route for the indigenous people.
One day, a Spanish conquistador named Vasco Núñez de Balboa arrived in the area and fell in love with Anayansi. He promised to build a great bridge across the river so they could be together. Anayansi agreed to marry him on the condition that he would build the bridge.
Balboa called upon his men to build the bridge, but it was a difficult task. The Chagres River was wide and the current was strong. They worked day and night, but the bridge kept collapsing.
One day, Anayansi visited the construction site and saw the men struggling. She decided to use her magic powers to help them. She went to the river and began to sing a beautiful song. As she sang, the waters of the river calmed down and a large stone appeared in the middle of the river.
Anayansi told the men to use the stone as the foundation for the bridge. They did as she said, and the bridge was finally completed. Balboa and Anayansi were married on the bridge, and the indigenous people called it "Puente de la Reina" (Bridge of the Queen) in honor of Anayansi.
Years later, the Panama Canal was built along the same route as the Chagres River. The port of Colon was established at the Atlantic entrance of the canal. The legend of Anayansi and the Bridge of the Queen lives on as a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the people who built the canal.