CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA

The Cathedral of San José is a singular architectural jewel combining neoclassical and baroque styles on the outside, and colonial style on the inside. In 1813, when it was decided to make San José the capital of the country, the Spaniards wanted a cathedral to be built in honor of the Catholic faith. In 1825, work began under the direction of Eusebio Rodríguez. The church, which became the epicenter of this religion, was finally inaugurated in 1827 and was declared a cathedral in 1850, when Anselmo Llorente y La Fuente was named the first bishop of the country. Several earthquakes later affected the structure of the building. Restoration work had to be carried out and was completed in 1878, giving rise to the cathedral's dome, pulpit and choir. Twelve current stained glass windows come from France! They were brought in 1914, and refer to several saints including Saint Joseph and the Holy Trinity. The architecture of the cathedral has remained in constant evolution, since new earthquakes have subsequently required other important reinforcement work, particularly of the bell towers, with the use of metal and reinforced concrete. Its singular architecture is finally the witness of the history that the cathedral has crossed. It also welcomed the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1983. It is a major monument, erected as a national shrine in 2021. To be visited outside of mass times.