Vasco Núñez de Balboa holds an important place in Panamanian history. In addition to being credited as the first European to cross America, Panama’s national currency is named after Balboa and monuments of him can be found scattered throughout the country. One of the most famous monuments of Balboa was sculpted by Miguel Blan and Mariano Benlliure and given to Panama as a gift from Spain. The statue overlooks Panama Bay and was inaugurated on September 29, 1924.

Balboa Monument