Iglesia de la Merced (Church of Our Lady of La Merced), San Jose
The Church of Our Lady of La Merced is one of the most beautiful churches to be found in San Jose. Its construction began in June 1894 and is one of the oldest standing churches in town also. The tall rising tower of the location can be seen all over town. The overall architectural style is German and neo-Gothic architecture.
You will want to go in and see the stained glass windows, as they are some of the most beautiful in town. There is also a stunning wooden ceiling which is ornately carved. The altar area is also impressive, so take a moment to go in, if you get a chance.
The church is conveniently located next to Merced Park which a popular hangout place for the Nicaraguan people of the city.
This church has been listed as the historical-architectural heritage of Costa Rica since 1996 and is without doubt one of the most recognizable buildings in the city.
Tip:
Be aware that the adjacent park is not a good area to be in after dark.
You will want to go in and see the stained glass windows, as they are some of the most beautiful in town. There is also a stunning wooden ceiling which is ornately carved. The altar area is also impressive, so take a moment to go in, if you get a chance.
The church is conveniently located next to Merced Park which a popular hangout place for the Nicaraguan people of the city.
This church has been listed as the historical-architectural heritage of Costa Rica since 1996 and is without doubt one of the most recognizable buildings in the city.
Tip:
Be aware that the adjacent park is not a good area to be in after dark.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Jose. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: 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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Iglesia de la Merced (Church of Our Lady of La Merced) on Map
Sight Name: Iglesia de la Merced (Church of Our Lady of La Merced)
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Religious
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.
Shopping and Food Walking Tour
Walking the pedestrian-friendly promenades of Costa Rica's capital – San Jose – 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
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
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 León) 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...