Costa Rica’s Oldest Church: Iglesia Colonial de Orosi

Costa Rica has a strong Catholic heritage. In fact, Catholicism is the country’s official religion. About three out of four Costa Ricans identify themselves as Catholic. Catholicism runs deep in the culture and can be seen in many different aspects of everyday life. An easy way to observe this is by visiting one of the country’s many churches. In this post, we will tell you about one of the most famous, Iglesia Colonial de Orosi (Colonial Church of Orosi). This church is Costa Rica’s oldest still in use today.

Iglesia Colonial de Orosi

Location

The Colonial Church of Orosi is located in the Orosi Valley. This is a tranquil region east of San Jose with a small-town feel. The town of Orosi is set in a green valley with a wide river running through it.

For more information about what Orosi is like, read our full destination guide, Orosi: A Valley of Green.

Colonial Church of Orosi is in the center of town, across from the soccer field. It is the focal point of the community. Even driving through, you can’t miss the white archway at the entrance, prominent bell tower, and picturesque garden filled with hydrangeas.

Exterior Courtyard Colonial Church of Orosi

About Colonial Church of Orosi

History

Iglesia Colonial de Orosi dates back to the Spanish colonial era.

To give you an idea of its history, construction on the building started in 1743, when Franciscan missionaries built a convent. Ten years later, they started building the parish. In 1766, they finished construction on the parish.

In 1996, the Franciscan missionaries left the region. They handed the parish over to the Diocesan clergy.

Unlike many of Costa Rica’s oldest churches, the Colonial Church of Orosi has survived many earthquakes. The building you see today is the same one from the 18th century, with some necessary restoration.

Since 1920, the Colonial Church of Orosi has been a historical-architectural heritage site in Costa Rica. It was declared a National Monument in 1985.

What You’ll See

Though small in size and simply built, it is still a gorgeous building. Its walls are made from adobe and the roof is covered in terracotta tiles. Inside, you’ll find only ten or so wooden pews, which gives the church an intimate feel.

Inside Iglesia Colonial de Orosi

The alter is beautifully adorned, with lots of gold detailing and religious paintings.

Alter Colonial Church of Orosi
The hand-carved wooden alter

The Monastery/Orosi Museum of Religious Art

If you exit the church at the front, you’ll come to a path that connects to the old monastery. This building was converted into a small museum in 1980. The Orosi Museum of Religious Art is a must-see when checking out the church.

In the few rooms, you can see more than 100 artifacts from the Franciscan era.

The museum is divided into five parts. The first room has some historical information about Orosi. The few posters tell about the region’s first indigenous inhabitants and colonialization. They also cover area attractions and what modern-day Orosi is like in terms of development and economic activities.

The remaining rooms hold some wooden furniture like old confession booths and a pulpit. You’ll also see metal liturgical objects, garments worn by friars, deacons, and priests, texts/books, and various objects made of stone, clay, and wood.

Antique Furniture Orosi Museum Religious Art
Room with antique furniture, including a confession booth and pulpit

Two of the rooms have some display cases with religious art and artifacts. You’ll find religious statues, candelabras used at the altar, ornate silver and bronze crowns worn by saints, and much more. Many of them items are believed to have come from Guatemala.

Here are some photos to give you an idea.

Statues Orosi Museum Religious Art
Religious statues

 

Religious displays Monastery Orosi Colonial Church
Metal religious objects, old texts, and ornamental garments worn by clergy

 

Crowns and metal objects Orosi Museum Religious Art
Metal crowns and other religious objects

 

Metal Religious Objects Colonial Church of Orosi
Bells, a thurible, and book rests escribed with the symbol of the Spanish crown

Visiting Colonial Church of Orosi

Colonial Church of Orosi still holds mass today and is open to the public.

Admission to the museum/old monastery is 500 colones per person adults (less than one dollar), 250 colones per person children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free.

Most of the information in the museum is available in English, but some descriptions are Spanish-only.

Conclusion

If you are interested in Costa Rica’s religious history, a visit to Colonial Church of Orosi is a must. As Costa Rica’s oldest operating church, it is certainly a prominent part of the country’s history and culture.

Have you visited Colonial Church of Orosi? Let us know about your experience below.

Looking for more information to plan your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:

Orosi: A Valley of Green – Learn about other things to do in the area, like coffee tours, hiking, and hot springs.

Irazu Volcano: Easy Access, Crater Views, and Extreme Climate – Irazu is a giant crater volcano not far from the Orosi Valley that is definitely worth a visit.

Guayabo National Monument: An Ancient Pre-Columbian City – If you’re interested in learning about ancient settlements, hike the trails at Guayabo to see one of Costa Rica’s most important archaeological sites.

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