Day 15 - February 11, 2011

Today we met up with Rosa, our son-in-law Bob's mother, and her friend Patricia. We went to the Centro Nacional de Arte y Cultura (National Center of Art & Culture).  This was a fascinating place made all the better by having people who know the culture with us. The center includes a butterfly garden, an old army area, mysterious perfect spheres, Pre-Columbian art and gardens.

The museum was built on the Bellavista Fort.  The building incorporates some of the walls and buildings of the fort.  Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, after a short civil war, and therefor no longer needed a fort, military prison nor the commanders' quarters. We saw these plus the barracks, kitchen, prisoners' writings, latrines and historical photographs.





The Pre-Columbian art is fantastic. There is pottery, gold jewelry, jade carvings, grinding stones and statues. There are lots of photos at the Costa Rica photo link, but here are some as well.

grater

Musical Instruments

 

The mysterious spheres from Diquis are believed to have been carved between 200 BC and 1500 AD. The spheres range from a few centimeters to over 2 meters (6.6 ft) in diameter, and weigh up to 15 tons. Most were sculpted from gabbro. A few were made from limestone and sandstone. They have been found in Isla del Caño and a few miles off shore. Virtually all were removed from their original locations to create pineapple plantations.

It is unknown how these were carved "near perfectly" and what their purpose was.  You can find out more on the "Mystery Spheres" website.

The Landmarks Foundation and Museo Nacional de Costa Rica managed to truck over 80 tons of the spheres from San Jose over the high mountain range and return them to their original location where they are currently being stored and protected until a Cultural Center is built.

Patricia & Rosa

After an engaging trip to the museum, we went to a supermarket and the to Rosa's home for something to eat.  We went for a ride with another friend of Rosa's towards the Caribbean (Limon) side of Costa Rica.  The ride was beautiful and we went thru the Heredia canton and saw the city of San Isidro with a beautiful white cathedral. We drove on the Guápiles Highway thru the Zurqui tunnel into the rainforest and cloud forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park.  We then ate at a typical Costa Rican restaurant.