In 1986 the Pirie Building, in Cartago,
is declared an antique of historical-cultural
interest.
It is the last of the buildings that survived
the Cartago earthquakes. It withstood
the destructive hand of Man as well, on
their careless way through urban development.
Over the years it has been an important
landmark in Cartago. A few years ago,
it was transformed into a cultural center
that has shown its potential in an unmistakable
way.
It counts with 28 quarters, patios, hallways,
a mystery tunnel, and on its façade
of French architecture, its balconies
stand out.
The story of a few immigrants
In 1894 the Pirie family, of English origin,
arrives in Limón Harbor, on their
way to Peru. Their ship is damaged and
they are forced to stay in Limón.
While waiting for the ship to be repaired,
Dr. Alexander Pirie visits Cartago and
finds himself a very attractive place.
He decides to stay and live here. He bought
a beautiful house in the city that belonged
to a priest named Fulgencio Bonilla. The
house had been built around 1882. In that
time the house only counted with one story,
but in 1900 a second story is finished.
With the pass of the century, the doctor’s
house becomes a medical center. Not only
Dr. Alexander Pirie, but his brothers
and sons also assumed the profession;
also the house was occupied by some Canadian
doctor’s offices at the end of the
19th and beginning of the 20th century.
The role played by this building in the
medical area was so important that in
the 1950’s, the Sanitary Unit of
the Ministry of Health was located here.
It’s identification with medicine
and health goes even further; on the East
corner a pharmacy was built. This pharmacy
was the joy of the little ones because
it had “magical” mirrors that
altered the form of whoever was reflected
in them. There, behind the counter, was
Dr. Alexander’s son, Willie Pirie,
whom studied medicine in England, and
became a historical figure in the city
of Cartago. He is given credit for bringing
soccer into Costa Rica between 1903 and
1906 when he returned to England.
The year 1949 marks a step forward from
having an important function in the health
department by private initiative, to becoming
important from an institutional and public
point of view. This first step took place
right after the 1948 revolution, when
the Government Council gathered in the
building. It was then that the government
bought the building from the Piries family
and made it part of the Cartago Government.
Over the years, this building was home
to the Municipality of Cartago and the
Sanitary Unit of the Ministry of Health,
before it became home to the Technological
Institute of Costa Rica.
The
City House is born
In October of 1987, the Pirie Building
begins a new stage, establishing itself
as the City House of Cartago. A place
that would give advice, support, and contribute
to the development of many different kinds
of organizations.
Great
social-cultural projection
In a short period of time, the Culture
House has had a large impact on the social
and cultural life of Cartago. Since it
opened its doors to the existing organizations,
the demands keep multiplying. Thanks to
its existence, possibilities for groups
and services have extended to the community.
The City House has been fundamental for
many artistic groups. After many years
of no longer having a theatre, Cartago
began to dream again with the presence
of the companies that come from other
countries to present themselves in the
Support Theatre, before going to San José.
Now, thanks to the availability of space,
the possibility of growth of a new generation
of authors exists, and grows in the city
of Cartago.
Location: Cartago, 2nd Street,
5th Avenue
Schedule
Monday to saturday, 1:30
p.m. to 7 p.m. Phone: (506)
2550-2340 |
