Portobello situated about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of the city of  Colón on the Caribbean coast. Named by Christopher Columbus in 1502 — meaning “beautiful harbour”. Portobello grew to become a strongly fortified town at the north end of the old Gold Road. As a point of transshipment and exchange for the colonial merchandise (especially silver) of Spain and South America. Once the busiest city in the New World, it was attacked a number of times by English buccaneers (successfully). The building of the Panama Railroad (now the Panama Canal Railway) in the 1850s, and the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 brought about the town’s demise.

Portobello <– Video: The population attends church on Sunday and then Sunday brunch in a thunder storm

Portobello is best known for its ruins of 16^th and 17^th century fortifications that surround the harbor. These forts are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1980), in combination with nearby Fort San Lorenzo.

After the Spanish conquest of Peru, it is estimated the over 200,000 tons of Incan silver crossed Panama, on either the Camino Real or Camino de Cruces trails to Portobello.  The incredible wealth of Portobello prompted attacks from pirates, privateers, and enemies of Spain, most notably Sir Francis Drake, William Parker, Sir Henry Morgan, and Admiral Edward Vernon. Portobello Road in London was named after Vernon’s successful assault, and Mount Vernon in Virginia was named after the Admiral himself.

One interesting piece of history is the exploits of Sir Francis Drake. He unsuccessfully attacked the port twice. In January 1596, he died (aged about 56) of dysentery, a common disease in the tropics at the time, while anchored off the coast of Portobello where some Spanish treasure ships had sought shelter. Following his death, the English fleet withdrew. Before dying, he asked to be dressed in his full armour. He was buried at sea in a sealed lead-lined coffin, near Portobello. It is supposed that his final resting place is near the wrecks of two British ships, the Elizabeth and the Delight, scuttled in Portobello Bay. Divers continue to search for the coffin.  Drake’s body has never been recovered.

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The origin of Portobello Road in London

Portobello was overrun by an attack led by Admiral Edward Vernon. This victory was welcomed as an exceptionally popular triumph throughout Britain and America, and the name of Portobello came to be used in commemoration at a variety of locations, such as the Portobello Road in London, the Portobello district of Edinburgh and also in Dublin; as well as Porto Bello in Virginia and Porto Bello in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The victory was particularly well received in the North-American British colonies, where the Spanish had been preying on British shipping.