Natá de Los Caballeros, or Nata as it is more commonly known as, is the oldest surviving town in Panama and it is situated in the Cocle Province. The town derives its name from various historical instances – Nata, after Anata, a local ruler of the area, and Los Caballeros, after the sixty knights who were quartered here. Nata is a slow, sleepy town that seems to be stuck in another century. This quality makes Nata an existing symbol of the old world, rich in history.
History
Basílica de Natá is a beautiful, ancient church with ornate altars and is the main attraction of Nata. You do not want to miss the chance to visit this church, which is also the oldest church on the American mainland.
The church was built in 1522 when the Spanish moved in, and thus exhibits a strong Spanish influence. The sixty knights who were stationed here oversaw the construction of the church by the local workforce. Its architecture is impressive; the altars are intricately carved and the most notable work is that of the statue of the Virgin Mary. It has skillfully sculpted serpents, fruits, and leaves, a design that was influenced by indigenous artisans. The original bells of the church were made of solid gold and were stolen centuries ago. The belfry now holds four bells – Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph and St. Roa, Immaculate Conception and Santiago the Great, which are less than a century old.
Apart from the statues and sculptures, the paintings on the wall are also worthy of your attention. Among these, the Holy Trinity piece next to the altar is a radical work of art that was kept away from the public for several years as all three of the figures are of Christ. This kind of thought and idea was not in line with the beliefs of the church. It was painted by Jose Samaniego, an Ecuadorian artist. To add more mystery, three skeletons were found buried beneath the painting during one of the renovations.
The church was repeatedly renovated until the 1900s, after which efforts have been taken to preserve and protect the structure as it is. The current church stands as an example of Baroque- style architecture. Apart from admiring the classic Spanish interior, you can also learn about the local faith and customs.
Parque Arqueológico del Caño
The Parque Arqueológico del Caño is an archaeological site in Nata that holds three mounds that date back to the Pre-Colombian period between 500 and 1200 AD. Among the two under excavations, the bigger one unearthed five skeletons, which still remain in the same position in which they were found. One of the graves held gold and emerald articles and it is assumed that it must have been the grave of a local chief.
Along with the site, the premises also house a small museum that displays the articles that were discovered at the site. You can see an ancient collection of pottery, arrowheads, weapons and stone carvings. You can also see rows of similar looking stone pedestals, which are the remains of what was once the Temple of a Thousand Pedestals. The temple was deconstructed by an American explorer decades ago, and several pedestals were taken for display in US museums.
The site and museum will give you deeper insight into the history and past of the indigenous community that once flourished here. You can get to the museum through local buses. It is located just 3 km away from El Cano.
Stella Sierra Regional Museum
The Stella Sierra Regional Museum is a small, but very informative and interesting museum where you can learn about the sugar and salt production of the Cocle Province. The museum is located at Aguadulce, which is 15 km from Nata. You can find a lot of unique objects that will be sure to increase your curiosity.
The museum also displays the works of the female Panamanian poet Stella Sierra, from which the museum derives its name. She was one of the renowned poets of the nation in the 20th century; she produced works that revolved around the themes of nature, beauty, love, and life.
Reaching Nata
You can take buses to Nata at frequent intervals from most places along the Interamericana highway. Nata is fifteen minutes from Aguadulce and forty-five minutes from Penonome, the two closest cities.
Stay and Food
There are no accommodations available for tourists to stay in Nata. You have to put up in El Chiru or Penonome. The same goes for food as well; for a proper meal, you would have to eat in one of the cities.
The Buenaventura Golf and Beach Resort, autograph collection, Royal Decameron Resort and Villas, and Las Perlas Playa Blanca are some of the best options from which to choose your stay near Nata. All of these hotels are located in El Chiru, which is around 30 km from Nata.
Nearby attractions
Nata is a small colonial town that is mainly famous for its architecture and history. If you want to visit more places, you can check out more attractions in Penonome, Aguadulce, or in other close destinations.
What’s Nearby?
