The capital of Costa Rica during colonial times,
Cartago is 250 years older than San José and is located
at the base of Irazú Volcano. Its colonial architecture
was almost completely destroyed by the earthquakes of 1841
and 1910, with the Romantic-style Basilica of our Lady of
the Angels being the only building that has survived.
Cartago is an important religious center;
on August 2, thousands of pilgrims walk from San José
to the basilica to celebrate the festivities of the Day of
Our Lady of the Angels. Just a few blocks from the basilica
you will find the ruins of what was once a cathedral in the
center of the city. The earthquake of 1910 destroyed the church
before workers had completed it; however, the town converted
the ruins into a park, with a fountain, gardens and walking
paths.
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