Teatro Nacional (National Theater), San Jose (must see)
The construction of the National Theater building started in 1891 and the first theatrical presentation took place in October of 1897, when Wolfgang von Goethe鈥檚 鈥淔aust鈥� debuted to the delight of the crowd there.
The glory days of the theater came during the time when coffee exports for the country were at their best. There were many good patrons of the arts, and the quality of the performers was at its best. At one point, there was also a tax on coffee dedicated to the arts. That kind of free-flowing money also shows in the design of the building which is well known for lavish furnishings and a beautiful, rich looking interior that was designed to rival the great theaters in Europe.
In the front of the theater is a statue of Calderon de la Barca and Ludwig van Beethoven, which are worth taking a moment to check out. The same statues are featured on the country's currency. The theater performs several times a week.
Tip:
If you have a ticket for a performance, ask for the free English tour included in the ticket price to learn a bit of history about the place. Otherwise you can purchase a paid tour to see the play.
The glory days of the theater came during the time when coffee exports for the country were at their best. There were many good patrons of the arts, and the quality of the performers was at its best. At one point, there was also a tax on coffee dedicated to the arts. That kind of free-flowing money also shows in the design of the building which is well known for lavish furnishings and a beautiful, rich looking interior that was designed to rival the great theaters in Europe.
In the front of the theater is a statue of Calderon de la Barca and Ludwig van Beethoven, which are worth taking a moment to check out. The same statues are featured on the country's currency. The theater performs several times a week.
Tip:
If you have a ticket for a performance, ask for the free English tour included in the ticket price to learn a bit of history about the place. Otherwise you can purchase a paid tour to see the play.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Jose. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Teatro Nacional (National Theater) on Map
Sight Name: Teatro Nacional (National Theater)
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Jose, Costa Rica
Create Your Own Walk in San Jose
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Jose is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Tour
What's known today as San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, came into being as a small settlement during the Spanish invasion, circa the mid-16th century. From a town of little importance, San Jose eventually evolved into a densely-populated cosmopolitan city, built mostly with proceeds from coffee trade.
The historic architecture of San Jose is a mix of European and Latin American styles... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
The historic architecture of San Jose is a mix of European and Latin American styles... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Shopping and Food Walking Tour
Walking the pedestrian-friendly promenades of Costa Rica's capital 鈥� San Jose 鈥� is a great way to experience the local culture. Despite an occasional rainstorm, the country's tropical weather makes outdoor shopping an undeniably fun experience. The downtown part of San Jose has no shortage of department stores, traditional marketplaces and souvenir shops selling handcrafts.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
San Jose Introduction Walking Tour
The history of San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, is that of growth and transformation. Founded in 1736 by the Spanish colonial administration (Cabildo de Le贸n) to concentrate the scattered inhabitants of the area, San Jose lacked formal city status until 1812. Surprisingly, but only two years later, the status was revoked. However, in 1820, it was reinstated, and San Jose became Costa... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose
Not to be confused with San Jose, the sunny California, San Jose, Costa Rica is the capital city of a wet (250 centimeters of rainfall per year) and colorful Latin American country renowned for its diverse craftsmanship (courtesy of the numerous indigenous tribes), splendid coffee and rich cultural...