The city that was once rejected by the crown

History · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For over 50 years, the Spanish colonial government refused to recognize David as an official city. The reason? A complex web of religious identity and intellectual friction. Today, it stands as Panama's third-largest urban area and a vital economic powerhouse for the region.

Founded in 1602 by Governor Juan López de Siqueira, David was initially established in the area now known as Bolívar Park. Three separate zones comprised the town: a Spanish quarter plus two minor districts called 'Nuestra Señora del Rosario', 'David', and 'San Antonio de Padra'. By the late 19th century, the city center was so compact that only four of its six streets were actually populated.

Despite its growth, the city faced a peculiar bureaucratic hurdle. By 1726, the central government refused to recognize David as a city. Historians speculate this was due to the religious identities of its primary figures. Both Juan Lopez de Sequeira, considered the city's main intellectual, and Francisco de Gama, credited with the city's creation, were converted Jews. This religious difference with the Royal Audience of Panama likely caused the standoff, which lasted until 1736, when the city was finally granted official recognition as 'La Ermita San Jose de David.'

David's trajectory shifted toward industrial and logistical dominance in the 20th century. Between 1916 and 1949, a 165-kilometer railway system was built under Belisario Porras to exploit the province's agrarian products, cementing David as a merchant hub. Today, it produces more than half of Chiriquí's 2.1 billion GDP. It serves as a critical trade gateway to Costa Rica, a financial center for international banks like HSBC, and a strategic port for private vessels and exports.

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