Iglesia La Soledad, San Jose

The Church of Our Lady of Solitude (Iglesia La Soledad) is a beautiful church located in the heart of downtown San Jose. This stunning church was built in the mid-nineteenth century and took over 30 years to complete. In 1999, it was recognized as part of the Historical and Architectural Heritage of the country.

The Church of Our Lady of Solitude was designed by the English architect Hugh G. Tonkin, at the request of the first Archbishop of Costa Rica, Anselmo Llorente y la Fuente. The construction of the church was done in masonry, with the influence of the Baroque style and wooden columns. The church's architecture and design are impressive and represent an important part of Costa Rica's cultural heritage.

One of the most remarkable features of the church is its beautiful stained glass windows, which were imported from Switzerland. These windows represent several biblical passages and add a unique touch to the already impressive church. Additionally, the church has several sculptures from the Stfulesser workshop, including the 14 Stations of the Cross, also called Way of the Cross.

The Church of Our Lady of Solitude played an important role in the development of the neighborhood of La Soledad. The church's construction gave birth to the neighborhood, which was already known as "Soledad" (loneliness) due to its few inhabitants at that time. Today, the church and the neighborhood are important landmarks in the city of San Jose.