What Happened
Work has begun in Casco Antiguo to repair the andas — the wooden platforms used to carry religious images — that will be used during Semana Santa Internacional 2026. The activity marks the start of physical preparations in Panama City’s historic district for Holy Week processions.
Ricardo Gago, president of the Comité de Amigos de las Iglesias del Casco Antiguo, said that the first rehearsals for the processions are scheduled for Sunday, March 22.
Background
Casco Antiguo, the capital’s historic district, is a focal point for cultural and religious events during Holy Week. The andas are central to traditional processions across Panama, carried by members of brotherhoods and parish groups as part of long-standing Semana Santa observances.
Local committees and church groups commonly oversee maintenance, rehearsals and logistics to ensure the processions run safely and respectfully through the neighborhood’s narrow streets and plazas.
Community Preparations
The repair work is part of coordinated community preparations that typically include restoration of the andas, route planning, and rehearsal scheduling. The involvement of the Comité de Amigos de las Iglesias del Casco Antiguo underscores the grassroots nature of the event: local volunteers and church organizations play a key role in preparing both the artifacts and the people who will carry them.
Scheduling the first rehearsal on March 22 gives participating teams time to practice navigating the district’s colonial streets ahead of the peak of Holy Week. While the Comité’s announcement focuses on the andas and rehearsals, these early activities also allow organizers to identify and address logistical needs such as crowd management and route safety.
What This Means
The start of repairs and the announced rehearsal date signal that Casco Antiguo is entering its active Semana Santa period. For residents and visitors, this means heightened activity in the coming days as communities finalize preparations for one of Panama’s most observed religious traditions.
Maintaining the andas and rehearsing procession routes help preserve the ritual’s cultural integrity and support smooth events during Semana Santa Internacional 2026. For the historic district, the processions are both a religious observance and a cultural showcase that draws attention to Casco Antiguo’s heritage and community involvement.