Tag: San José

The Museo de Arte Costarricense, located in San José, Costa Rica, is a significant cultural institution that opened its doors in 1978. The museum is housed in the former terminal building of La Sabana International Airport, which operated from 1940 to 1974. This unique setting adds historical value to the museum, as it preserves the architectural heritage of Costa Rica while showcasing a diverse collection of over 6,000 artworks spanning from the mid-19th century to the present day.

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The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, located in San José, is housed in the historic Cuartel Bellavista, a fortress-like structure with a rich and complex history. The construction of the Cuartel began in 1917 under the regime of Federico Tinoco, who sought to strengthen the military institution after his coup d’état. The building served as military barracks for decades, and its exterior walls still bear bullet holes from Costa Rica‘s 1948 civil war. Following the abolition of the army by José Figueres Ferrer in 1948, the Cuartel Bellavista was symbolically transformed into the National Museum in 1950, marking a significant shift from military to cultural purposes.

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