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El Museo Nacional was created on May 4th 1887, during the presidency of Bernardo Soto. It’s prerogatives being defined by 1888 and after, these being mainly the fostering of a newly formed national historical identity and the gaining of a local civil consciousness by the admiration of the mutual historical patrimony.
Throughout its centennial history, the National Museum has been hosted by several buildings, three of which have been demolished already, and currently sitting in what used to be the Bellavista Military headquarters (Cuartel Bellavista). This being originally the house of a certain German Naturalist Alexander Von Frantzius, and later purchased by local teacher and prominent intellectual Mauro Fernandez. Left uninhabited from 1910 to 1914, it was later acquired by President Alfredo Gonzalez Flores with intentions of transforming it into a military facility.
The aforementioned change begun by 1916 and due to the coup d’état headed by General Federico Tinoco in 1917 the works on the structured were rushed, until his later “dethroning” in later years. During the administration of President Cleto Gonzalez Viquez (1928-1932) the plan was retaken and the building finally took the shape as the Bellavista Military Headquarters.
In 1948, and due to the dissolution and abolishment of the Costarican Armed Forces, the location was thus deigned proper for cultural site, and the placement of the National Museum took its current form.
It hosts 4 permanent exhibitions and these are linked to the two major fields of study: History and Anthropology. The Temporary exhibition chambers manifest other relative areas to the main purpose of the museum; Religious Art, Insects, Geology, Plastic Arts are all amongst its subjects.
Important FAQs
-The Museum opens Tuesday to Saturday (from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) and during Sundays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Mondays.
-The entry fee is 200 colones. Children below 12 years of age and identified students can enter for free.
-Location: Between avenues Central and Second, 17th street. Upon “Cuesta de Moras” next to Plaza de la Democracia.