Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
54
La Casona
C3
C3
F3
A2
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Mora Books
D2
D3
Catedral Metropolitana
CHURCH
East of Parque Central, the Renaissance-style Catedral Metropolitana was built in 1871
after the previous cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake. The graceful neoclassical in-
terior has colorful Spanish-tile floors, stained-glass windows, and a Christ figure that was
produced by a Guatemalan workshop in the late 17th century. On the north side of the
nave, a recumbent Christ that dates back to 1878 draws devout Ticos, who arrive here to
pray and deposit pleas scribbled on small slips of paper.
Teatro Melico Salazar
HISTORIC BUILDING
On the north side of Parque Central is this theatre, which was built in 1928 in a beaux-arts
style. It is named after the well-known Costa Rican tenor Melico Salazar (1887-1950),
who performed internationally (among other places, he sang at the Metropolitan Opera in
New York City). The theater was the site of the 2002 presidential inauguration, and regu-
larly hosts fine-arts engagements.
Mercado Central
MARKET
Though
josefinos
mainly do their shopping at chain supermarkets, San José's crowded in-
door markets retain an old-world feel. This is the main market, lined with vendors hawk-
ing everything from spices and coffee beans to
pura vida
(pure life) souvenir T-shirts.