We left the San Blas January 10th (I know, I know why am I just blogging about it now????) and had a wonderful downwind sail to Portobelo. Portobelo is a very old town rich in history. It was discovered in 1502 by Christopher Columbus and claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1597. The Spanish built two forts to protect Portobelo, Fort San Lorenzo and Fort San Fernando. From the 16th to the 18th centuries it was integral in Spain's silver exporting. It was one of the most important sites for transferring the riches of Central and South America to Seville Spain, the commercial capital of the Spanish empire. Between 1574 and 1702 forty-five fleets of galleons sailed out of Portobelo. Each ship carried more than thirty million pesos in riches.
Privateer and pirate Henry Morgan captured and plundered Portobelo in 1668; stripping it of nearly all its wealth. In 1739 the British captured Portobelo; however, they did not hold it long. The Spanish reclaimed Portrobelo in 1741.
Fort San Lorenzo:
And Fort San Fernando:
The "Customs House" built in 1630. It was used as a merchandise warehouse for trade and as a fiscal office for the Governor and his royal officials.
Today Portobelo is a small quite town surround by the ruins of the Spanish fortifications and known for Cristo Negro de Portobelo, or the Black Christ. It is not known how or when exactly the Black Christ statue arrived but it is estimated to be around 1658. It is believed that the statue is responsible for many miracles. Every October 21st tens of thousands of pilgrims come to Portobelo, many crawling on their hands and knees the last mile, to pay homage to the statue. Believe it or not, but the Black Christ is the Patron Saint of criminals. Many of the pilgrims whom come to Portobelo come to seek forgiveness.
If you would like to learn more about the Black Christ click here.