Overview:

The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose is the main Catholic church of San Jose, Costa Rica. It was constructed in the late 1800s in Neo-Gothic style. It features two large towers that stand out from the city skyline, with the highest one standing at 84 meters tall. Inside the cathedral, visitors will find a replica of La Negrita, a black statue of the Virgin Mary, as well as stained glass and carved wood furnishings. The cathedral is also the site of many religious ceremonies in Costa Rica. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Costa-Rica
Prominent Features:

1. The Metropolitan Cathedral - San Jose in Costa-Rica is a Neo-Romanesque styled church and the seat of the Archbishopric of the Roman Catholic Church in Costa-Rica. 2. The cathedral was built between 1871-1877 and was designed by Italian architect Giovanni Stearino. 3. The façade of the church features two towers, both topped with a high-pointing cross and flanking a beautiful main entrance. 4. Its interior decorations also hint at its Italian heritage, with its ceiling featuring neoclassical designs. 5. Inside the church are various adjacent chapels, which are dedicated to different patrons, such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Holy Eucharist. 6. Additionally, the Library of Saint Raphael is located adjacent to the Metropolitan Cathedral. 7. The crypt of the cathedral, located in its basement, houses the tombs of several former presidents of Costa-Rica. 8. The church is one of the defining landmarks in downtown San Jose and is one of the main venues for important events that involve the country's religious and political leadership. This national monument of Costa-Rica portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose, Costa Rica, was constructed in 1871 and consecrated in 1877. The Cathedral is located in the historic Old Town of San Jose and is the main cathedral for the Archdiocese of San Jose. The building was designed by Italian architects Ricardo Pozzo and Josuevelio Tardit in the neo-Gothic style and is the 3rd church to have been built on the site. The cathedral was built on the site of a former church that had been constructed in colonial times. The first church, San Jose Basilica, was built in 1743 and remained standing until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1841. The second church was built in 1845 and again suffered damages from an earthquake in 1873. After this earthquake, the construction of the current Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose was immediately commenced and features ornate stained glass windows, statues of saints, and a magnificent marble altar. The cathedral features a twin-bell tower which rises just shy of 60 meters and isvisible for miles around. The facade of the building is decorated with statues of patron saints and historical figures, and the entranceway is a marble door surmounted by a bronze and stone cross. In 1996 the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose underwent major renovation works with the help of the local government. These works included conservation of the façade, renovation of the roof and consolidation of the bell tower. The works also included restoration of the interior and the installation of stained glass windows. After completion of the renovation works the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Jose was reinaugurated in 2003. Nowadays, the Cathedral is one of the most visited religious sites in San Jose and is an iconic symbol of the city’s history and culture. You must visit one of these historical places in Costa-Rica on your Costa-Rica tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Metropolitan Cathedral, located in the Central Square of San Jose, is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Costa Rica. 2. It was built in 1871 and designed by the French architect, Guillaume Rouge. 3. It features two towers which rise up to 94 feet. 4. It houses 15 chapels, of which six are open to the public. 5. The Dome is an impressive 60 meters high and its stained glass windows are especially beautiful. 6. It was declared a National Historic Monument of Costa Rica as a result of its historical and architectural value. 7. Inside the main hall there is a four-story organ with 1700 pipes and two percussion instruments, which was completely restored in 1998. 8. Every Sunday at midday there is an organ concert and traditional religious rituals take place in the Cathedral. 9. Every April there is a Corpus Christi celebration with a procession that leaves from the Central Square to the churches at the Colima Street in Santa Ana. 10. The Metropolitan Cathedral has a façade and entrance made of marble as well as three interior columns of the same material. Visit one of the famous monuments of Costa-Rica with your friends and family.