The National Theater, located in the heart of the Casco Antiguo of Panama City, is one of the most representative architectural works of the country. It was erected on the site of the former convent of the Nuns of the Conception, built in 1673 and converted, after the departure of the congregation, into military barracks in 1862. The structure was demolished at the beginning of the 20th century and the space was used for the construction of the Government Palace and the National Theater. The Theater occupies what used to be the large inner courtyard and orchard that covered the northern part of the site.