There is a lot to see in Costa Rica - swamplands. oceans, jungles, archaeological sites and museums. It is a country of many shades, many layers. One of the best ways to get to know Costa Rica is to take a historical tour and discover its rich heritage. History comes alive as you see, hear, taste and feel the past come to life at the many historical spots of Costa Rica.
To get a glimpse of Costa Rica’s history, the best start-off point is San Jose, the capital city. Most of the museums are located here. Costa Rica’s most important museum, Museo Nacional De Costa Rica (National Museum0 is housed in the whitewashed Bellavista Fortress which was built in 1870. This barrack was the scene of fighting during the civil war of 1948 as the bullet holes on the turrets at the corners of this now tranquil building can attest. It was also here that three-time president Jose Figueres Ferrer wielded a hammer and stroked the building’s walls to signal the abolishment of the military. Inside this traditional Spanish-style courtyard building are displays of pre-Columbian artifacts, period dresses, colonial furniture, religious arts and photographs.
The dazzling three-storey Museo del Oro Pre-Columbino (Gold Museum) is located directly beneath the Plaza de la Cultura. This museum’s prized possession, the pre-Columbian gold jewelry, is the largest collection of its kind in Central America. Many pieces are in the form of frogs and eagles. But the most distinct pieces are the varied shaman figurines which symbolize human ties with animal deities. The Museo Numismatica (Coin Museum) is housed in one of its halls.
The ancient Atlantic Railroad Station is home to the Museum of Shapes, Spaces and Sounds. The railroad built between 1871 and 1890 facilitated trade with the European markets. When the railroad service closed down, it became a museum. Its interactive design enhances visitor participation and offers an alternative approach to the arts.
Aside from museums, there is the National Park where the National Monument is located. This monument is dedicated in honor of the heroic deeds of Costa Ricans who fought in the 1856 – 1857 war against the troops of the American filibuster William Walker. The Parisian-influenced National Theater was built in 1890. It showcases the history of the City of San Jose. Inside the building are beautifully adorned balconies, old colonial furniture and huge marble columns.
A city rich in History and culture, Cartago City was the first capital of Costa Rica. It is located 24 kilometers southeast of San Jose. It was founded in 1563 by Juan Vasquez de Coronado and is the first Spanish settlement in Costa Rica. Earthquakes have ravaged Cartago repeatedly over the years. In the center of the city, a public park winds through the ruins of a Romanesque cathedral that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1910 before it could be finished. Today, the ruins or “Los Ruinas” stands at the heart of a neatly landscaped park.
Perched on the slopes of Turrialba Volcano is Guayabo National Monument, Costa Rica’s most significant archaeological site. The site houses the ruins of a large community covering 49 acres and with a population of around 20,000. The city was abandoned in 1400 AD. Excavated ruins consist of tiled roads, stone bridges, a house, temple substructures and gravesites.
The Dr. Maria Eugenia Bozzoli Museum of Indigenous cultures, located in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui provides extensive information about Costa Rica’s indigenous people numbering about 40,000 out of a population of four million. On display are artifacts of the Boruca, Bribri, Cabezar, Guaymi and Maliku natives. Included also are collections of masks, musical instruments and shamanic healing sticks. Within the site is a botanical garden where medicinal plants used by the indigenous people are grown.
The province of Alajuela is home of two prominent Juan Santamaria. Costa Rica’s premier international airport, Juan Santamaria International Airport is located here. The monument of Juan Santamaria is also erected here. This landmark honors Costa Rica’s national hero who was born here in Alajuela. A small museum, the Museo Juan Santamaria pays homage to his heroic deeds.
Be ready to set out on a voyage of historical discovery.