NACIONAL MUSEUM

Classified as a National monument in 1984, this yellow building, which overlooks the immense steps of the Place de la Démocratie, has since its redevelopment in 1989 (date of the centenary of Democracy) of the collections devoted to Costa Rican civilization. Founded in 1887, the museum, whose premises are very proud, was originally a scientific research fund and was opened to the public until 1930. It was only in 1948 that the collection captured the walls of this former Bellavista barracks built at the beginning of the century (one can still see the impact of the bullets of the short civil war of 1948 on the towers at the back of the building). The collections, ranging from pre-Columbian art to documents marking the beginning of the First Republic (1821), are very rich. There are many pre-Columbian rooms from the Guayabo site, the pre-Columbian Spheres of the Osa (see also one in the big ball on Democracy square), pre-Columbian gold Objects and more recent pieces of contemporary history. For those who would not have visited on trips in the country, we cross a mariposario (butterfly garden) when arriving at the museum, it is rather pleasant! If the visit does not interest you, you will still have to turn around at 18 p. m. before sunset. The yellow building becomes flamboyant and if, by chance, it rains and the sky is still black of clouds, the show becomes grandiose.