Page 208 - Visitor Guides

T his hundred year old barrio has survived in the

Barrio Amón Walkway heart of the capital in spite of the time. It has been

declared by the City of San José as a protected
zone and a barrio with great architectural history,
together with Barrio Otoya and Aranjuez. The formation of Barrio
Amón at the end of the 19th century was part of the growth process
of San José that took place in the last few decades of that century.
Access to San José was through the Atlantic Railroad system, as the
main source of communication. National Park and Morazán Park were
considered recreational parks and the new bourgeois settled in around
the area. The Frenchman, Amón Fasileau – Duplautier was the first to
start construction within the urban elite neighborhood: Barrio Amón.
Today you can appreciate the beautiful homes in the area where some
descendents of those families that originally established themselves
still reside. Other homes have been converted into hotels, hostels, or
restaurants, all the while preserving the beautiful architecture.

1. The Rafael Ángel Calderón Museum

This museum is in charge of preserving,
recovering, and sharing the legacy of
the social reforms achieved between
1940 and 1944 by the ”Benemérito de
la Patria,” Dr. Calderón Guardia. There
are four historical rooms that recreate the
life and work of the ex-president, and an
art gallery for seasonal exhibits.
Tel.: 2222-6392 / 2255-1218 Fax: 2257-
2396
www.mcjdcr.go.cr/patrimonio/museo_calderon_guardia.html
Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2. The Atlantic Railroad Station

The Atlantic Railroad system, built
between 1871 and 1890, facilitated
access to European markets, a link that
had been made difficult because of the
Puntarenas port. The railroad station
started operations in San José during
the 1870s, but it wasn’t until 1908 when
the present day structure was built. After the
railway system ceased, it went on to house
the Museum of Shapes, Space, and Sounds, which
has an interactive design for those with disabilities so that they may
experience art in a unique way. However, it is presently closed and
undergoing change.

£Ó