Iglesia de la Inmaculada, Colonial church in Heredia, Costa Rica.
The Iglesia de la Inmaculada is a church with thick walls and a compact design featuring three interior naves separated by neo-Romanesque columns. The space contains imported stained glass windows and baroque religious artwork positioned above the altar.
Construction of the church began in 1797, but the current facade dates to 1851 following earthquake damage that required rebuilding the original structure. The reconstruction reshaped how the building appears from the street today.
The stained glass windows from France cast colored light across the interior, creating patterns that shift with the time of day. These imported decorative elements reflect the church's connection to European artistic traditions.
The church sits on Calle Central in Heredia and is accessible to visitors during regular services held throughout the week. It is helpful to check contact information before visiting to confirm service times or ask specific questions about access.
The church houses bells brought from Cuzco, reflecting an unusual example of trade between South America and Central America during an earlier era. A burial site in the gardens honors Monseñor Gregorio de Jesús Benavides, adding a layer of local religious history.
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