Page 205 - Visitor Guides

SAN JOSÉ SITIES
9. The National Theater
A symbol of European aspirations of
the liberal coffee society, the National
Theater was built at the end of the
19th century by means of a heavy tax
on coffee production. The monumental
architecture, the picturesque works of
art, and sculptures by highly acclaimed
artists (mainly Italians), the tastefulness and
visible meticulousness of this national jewel when
completed, clashed with the underdevelopment of the country of
those times. In Europe, it was said that Costa Rica was “a village,
surrounded by a National Theater.”
Open: Mondays to Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Events: See marquee.
Tel: (506) 2221-3756 / 2221-9417 • Fax (506) 2223-4990
10. The Maestro Juan Mora Fernández Statue
(In front of the National Theater) 1748-1854
A maestro, judge, and politician during the
Independence era and first Chief of State from 1824-
1833, he was declared “Benemérito de la Patria”
in 1848.
11. The Arcades
Declared an Architectural Monument
on April 22, 1975, it is located next
to Hotel Costa Rica and in front of
the National Theater. It was built
at the end of the 19th century and
beginning of the 20th century to add
to the landscape of the neighboring
buildings. Next to it is the Dent walkway,
which was the commercial center of the
times.
USEFUL ADVICE!
Your passport is unique: Take care of it! Always
carry a copy of your passport with you and keep
the original in a hotel lock box along with your
money, jewels, and valuables.
12. Knohr Building
Knohr building is one of the few examples of neoclassical
architecture within the downtown area. It represents the
collaborative efforts of the business oriented Bourgeois
and the financing of the German immigrants that
came to Costa Rica starting in 1840. It represents the
introduction of solid concrete in structures of this era, a
technological innovation.
13. The Metropolitan Cathedral
At the end of the 18th century, the chapel
of San José de la Boca del Monte, the
name of the capital back then, was
moved to where the cathedral is today.
Made of mud walls and a straw roof
in the beginning, it developed into
a concrete structure with Salomonic
columns. After having suffered
damage from tremors and earthquakes,
it was remodeled and converted into the
Metropolitan Cathedral that it is today, along
with its additions at the north end where El Sagrario Chapel is,
and the Metropolitan Curia to the south.
Tel.: (506) 2258-1015 / 2221-3820 • Fax: (506) 2221-2427.
14. John Paul II
This Carrara (Italy) marble piece
was sculpted by Jorge Jiménez
Deredia. The artist sought to
express the human aspect and close
relationship that Pope John Paul
II had with people. It was placed
on the north end of the
Metropolitan Cathedral on
September 30, 2006.
Central Park
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