- Address: Portobelo, Panama
- Year of construction: 1814
Iglesia de San Felipe Church, also known as Black Christ Church, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Portobelo , Panama . It is here that the statue of a dark-skinned Christ is found, which archaeologists have found on the shore of the harbor.
General information about the temple
Iglesia de San Felipe is located near the destroyed in the XVII century, but recently restored church of white stone - Iglesia de San Huis de Dios. As for the construction of the temple, it was started in 1814. The tower itself was built in 1945. This church was the last building built by the Spaniards in Panama.
The statue of Christ was created in the same year as the temple. It is decorated with several outfits that are stored in the Museum of Christo Negro (The Museum del Christo Negro) at the Iglesia de San Huis de Dios.
Going inside the temple of San Felipe, the first thing you'll see is a huge altar, decorated with gold ornaments and paintings that depict the crucifixion. Also on it you can see gold nails - instruments of torture, symbolizing the torments of Christ.
Every year, October 21 in Portobello, a large religious and cultural festival The Black Christ is held. On this day, about 60,000 pilgrims arrive in the city. On the day of the celebration, a dark-red garment is worn on the statue of a dark-skinned Christ. The church service is held from 16:00 to 18:00, after which 80 men raise a sacred statue and carry out a march through the streets of Portobelo. Each of these young people, especially before the holiday, shaves his head, and on the day of The Black Christ puts on a purple outfit. At midnight the statue is brought back to the temple.
How to get to the church?
San Felipe is located near the center of Portobelo . It can be reached by bus number 15, after reaching the stop of Fuerte San Jeronimo.
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