Our Catholic Church located in the picturesque Orosi Valley, in the province of Cartago. It is one of the oldest and most emblematic churches in Costa Rica, and it has a history that goes back almost 500 years ago. The church was built in 1767 by Franciscan friars and was dedicated to San José, patron saint of our Orosi Valley. It was built with adobe, cañabrava and clay tiles. The friars who administered the church built a convent that is known today as the Museum of Religious Art of San José de Orosi.
The Church has achieved a high sentimental impact over the years, since there is currently a new temple next to the old church, however, couples ask that their marriages take place in the old church, managing to demonstrate that its antiquity and beauty captivates people to perform their special activities in it. It has also managed to be a pillar of tourism in Orosi, due to its history, its architecture, and its museum, which opened its doors in 1980, making way to a perspective of the Catholic history of the place.
The Museum of Religious Art of San José of Orosi has a collection of around 120 works of art that include paintings, sculptures of saints, a sepulcher, and other religious objects. These works of art are representative of the religious artistic expressions that were practiced during the colonial era. Some of the religious objects are still used on special occasions, such as Easter.
The Church of Orosi and its Museum of Religious Art of San José of Orosi is a must-see for anyone interested in the history and culture of the area, its history and its beautiful architecture makes it a national treasure and a place of great spiritual importance for the Catholic community of Orosi, Costa Rica.
Note: The Church of Orosi has been a historical-architectural heritage of Costa Rica since 1920, and in 1985, it was declared a National Monument.