When touring through beautiful historic buildings, the key is to remember to look up. Above you are often magnificent fresco-ed ceilings, intricate moldings, glittering chandeliers and other decorative adornments.
Such is the case with the National Theatre of Costa Rica. When visiting the most popular tourist attraction in the capital city of San Jose, stop and gaze upward. The theatre’s ceiling mural entitled the “Allegory of Coffee and Bananas” (Alegoría al Café y al Banano) was just named one of “10 great ceilings around the world,” according to an article in USA Today.
The famous painting by Italian artist J. Vila used to grace the back of the five colón bill that is no longer in circulation.
Though the giant work-of-art captures the essence of Costa Rican rural 
life at the turn of the 20th century, it is evident that the painter never visited Costa Rica for the mural’s anomalies. For instance, coffee grows at high elevation rather than at sea level as the painting depicts, and there is a man holding a bunch of bananas like a large floral bouquet instead of over his shoulder as would be traditional.
life at the turn of the 20th century, it is evident that the painter never visited Costa Rica for the mural’s anomalies. For instance, coffee grows at high elevation rather than at sea level as the painting depicts, and there is a man holding a bunch of bananas like a large floral bouquet instead of over his shoulder as would be traditional.
The ornate Neo-Classical National Theatre (Teatro Nacional) is considered the finest historic building in San Jose, and is known for its exquisite interior decorated with lavish furnishings and beautiful murals. Constructed between 1891 and 1897, the theatre opened in 
October 1897.
October 1897.
Copied after the famous Paris Opera House, the theatre was built at a time when upper-class Costa Ricans wanted to transform the capital from a sleepy town of 17,000 people into a stop on the world opera circuit. Costa Rican citizens helped pay for the theatre by a special tax.
The front of the theatre features statues of 17th century Spanish playwright Pedro Calderón de la Barca and famous German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The vestibule floor is laid with Carrara marble along with bronze trim and ample use of 22.5 carat gold overlay. Italian sculptor Pietro Bulgarelli’s statues of the muses adorn the lobby. A stunning inlaid wood floor of tropical woods in red, pink, black and gold graces the second floor. There is a wonderful café, gallery and gift shop on the ground floor.
Tourists can enter during the day and take a self-guided tour through the theatre. There often are free musical programs at Noon, and on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. For more information on the National Theatre, call (506) 2221-5341.
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Article by Shannon Farley
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