Black Christ
Black Christ
4
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4.0
128 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
52
Average
34
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Alistair B
Delta, Canada43,391 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
I visited Portobelo on Thursday December 20 i booked the train excursion trip for $130 at my hotel The Royal Decameron.This trip took us all the way over to the Caribbean side of the country where i got to visit and take in Portabelo as one of towns we visited before we ended our trip with an hour long train ride from Colon up to Panama City.I liked seeing the inside of this church it was even more steeped in history and tradition than one i had visited in Dunedin New Zealand in 2011 so needless to say i was impressed.I was enjoyed seeing three Sisters inside the church(one playing an acoustic guitar) singing Jingle Bells in Spanish along with a very enthuastic group of about thirty plus of Panamain children.This was an awe inspiring experiance for me i'm not a very religious person but the vibe i got from this was very special.They then marched out onto the streets of this small poor town where they kept singing yes the Christmas spirit was alive and well there i'm glad i witnessed this event i only wish i hadn't forgot my camara.I also got to walk and see The Fortress ruins along with huge cannons laying everywhere and where the local Condors/Vultures hang out.I didn't know anything about Captain Morgan and his raids on this town but i found the facts that our guide Josephina gave us fascinating.It was sad to hear that even though that this is a World Unesco Heritage site that people have recentely stole the cannons for their scrap metal value i hope they can stop this from happening any more.I saw the strong Pirate connections first hand on my trips to Cuba so i enjoyed hearing that there is a lot of Pirate tales in Central America as well as The Caribbean and i enjoyed seeing this Portobelo as well as the one i used to visit in my childhood in Scotland to stay at my Aunt and Uncles Seaside Hotel.
Written 5 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darin
Quito, Ecuador406 contributions
May 2011 • Solo
My visit to the Portobelo, Panama, area was for one purpose - diving. Yet, this was a clear second or third reason. Inside Iglesia de San Felipe, the large white church in Portobelo, is a life-sized statue of the Black Christ, or Nazareno of Portobelo. The website gives a history of it, but minimizes the importance of this statue to locals. I have been told that during their Black Christ festival on October 21. From the website: "Some walk the 53 miles from Panama City, thousands walk the last 22 miles from Sabanitas, and many crawl the last mile on hands and knees to worship before El Nazareno, one of the names given to the Black Christ by locals."
I went in the early afternoon. The doors of the church were wide open -- there were no other tourists around. If you are going to be around Portobelo for some reason, this is a great place to visit.
I went in the early afternoon. The doors of the church were wide open -- there were no other tourists around. If you are going to be around Portobelo for some reason, this is a great place to visit.
Written 15 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francis M
Isle of Skye, UK96 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
A must see in Portobelo...if the church is open. Modest in size but as pained and suffering as any of the images of Christ around the World.
Written 8 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine A
Panama City, Panama12 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
I noticed a sign at the entrance stating that inappropriate clothing was not allowed, I was wearing shorts but had driven for almost two hours to get to Portobelo. Meaning no disrespect, I entered for a quick peek of the Black Christ and luckily could see him in the glass casket, said my prayers and left. Children in the parking lot will sometimes come up to you asking for some coins in exchange for your car being "taken care of". Vendors outside sell candles and coconut water. I didn't find any restrooms available for visitors.
Written 1 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just-Ask-Me1937
Melbourne, FL72 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
I traveled by bus to Portobelo, changing buses at Sabanita, arrived 2+ hours later to find a run-down Little village. Walked the fascinating ruins of the Spanish fortress and toured the old custom house with nice museum, video in English, and ate at wonderful tiny restaurant owned by Senora Maria who cooked me a fabulous vegetarian meal. Look for blue door between custom house and church. Another lovely restaurant and art gallery about one block to left of custom house, but closed on Monday. The catedral with Black Christ is huge....I cannot imagine how such a tiny village can fill this huge edifice! Culture a combination of Spanish and Congo African slave descendants. The history here, for history buffs, is astounding. Francis Drake died here! Who would have thought? The bay is beautiful. Met a lady sailor who sails to Cuba in her catamarán, does dive trips, whatever you would like, Ask Senora Maria. This place is well worth the misery of getting to it, especially is you ride the old buses with open Windows and broken shocks!
Written 29 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jssossa
toronto627 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
once time inside the church you are going to be surrounded for all the history and the charm of a town that have a lot offer, Go to the old custom building on the principal plaza and you will know about all the history of this city, attacked and taken for pirates like henry morgan, surrounded for big forts that can't stop those attacks.
the black Christ, Jesus that came to the town and never leave,a rich mix of cultures and celebrations that make this place unique and special.
The forts around a truly piece of those times, it's just a shame to see how are being destroyed and no body take care about that,
but the visit worth your time.
the black Christ, Jesus that came to the town and never leave,a rich mix of cultures and celebrations that make this place unique and special.
The forts around a truly piece of those times, it's just a shame to see how are being destroyed and no body take care about that,
but the visit worth your time.
Written 30 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry Y
Memphis, TN60 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
I most probably miss the significance. Black Christ was interesting to see but only for a moment. I am sure would mean more to others with a stronger background in the religion.
If in Portobelo it is worth sticking you head in to see but, not a special trip for it.
If in Portobelo it is worth sticking you head in to see but, not a special trip for it.
Written 17 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cew2A
Somers, NY64 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
The church is lovely in and of itself but the statute is amazing and very moving - his robe had lots of trinkets hanging off of it - many were religious medals but there was also a VW beetle, a gold bracelet and other interesting things so look closely. Consider making a donation because they are in the process of renovating the church.
Written 4 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OliverEdwards
Cold Lake, Canada55 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
It's not the fanciest tourist destination, but given that this is the destination of a real pilgrimage every year, it really tickled my fancy to visit. Enjoyed the "touristy" booths outside the church too.
Written 20 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swissdiver
Geneva, Switzerland7,752 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
Went to Portobello essentially to scuba dive. In the middle of this village is this large church, open to the people. And inside it is this Black Christ. Wonderful!
If you happen to be in the area (Colon is only about 1 hour away), don't miss this very special place, in the middle of all the Spanish forts, with such a rich history.
If you happen to be in the area (Colon is only about 1 hour away), don't miss this very special place, in the middle of all the Spanish forts, with such a rich history.
Written 8 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there hours/days that the church is open to the public?
Written 29 June 2018
That church is the main one in the village and it's open every day except holidays. Service hours are from Tuesday to Thursday at 6am, on Sundays 9:00-11:00
Written 29 June 2018
We are thinking of taking a ship's tour to Gatun Locks and Portebelo. Wondering what the trip would be like from Colon pier to Portebelo. More interested in seeing some of the area than Portebelo itself.
Thanks.
Written 27 March 2015
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