Portobelo church restoration reaches 56% completion

Restoration works for the San Felipe Church and the San Juan de Dios Chapel in Portobelo, Colón province, have reached 56% completion. The project, managed by the Consorcio Unidos por El Nazareno de Portobelo, S. A., involves a total investment of $12.2 million to preserve this significant national religious and historical site.

The scope of the project includes the restoration of the San Felipe Church, the rehabilitation of the San Juan de Dios Chapel, the creation of front and side plazas, the renovation of surrounding streets, the construction of an annex building, and the establishment of a museum. Currently, 64 people are directly involved in the works, with approximately 90% of the workforce being local residents.

President José Raúl Mulino visited the site to inspect the progress, noting that the project fulfills a campaign promise. According to the schedule, the main and lateral facades of the San Felipe Church, along with the new plazas, are expected to be completed by the Cristo Negro festivities on October 21. The annex building is slated for completion in December, with full restoration of the church expected by January 2027.