The
terrain where the Parroquia ruins are
found was the placement of various buildings
for a temple, with different types of
construction and architecture. They corresponded
to different times, but there was always
the same intention, however the final
building was never finished.
The
different buildings were semi destroyed
by earthquakes, making it necessary to
either demolish or rebuild, in the years
1577-1580, when the safest and strongest
building was made, with a wooden structure,
adobe walls and a tile roof.
The
first building to go up in this place
was started in 1562, and was built with
wood, mud and straw. Three years after
it was started, in 1565, the presbyter
Juan of Estrada Rávago was named
as the first parish priest of Cartago.
Fray Martin of Bonilla succeeded him in
the years 1567-1572, as he took the title
of parish priest and vicar of Costa Rica.
This first temple was initiated in 1562,
and was finished in 1570, approximately.
By that time, there were two parish churches
formally originated in our territory,
one in Nicoya since 1544 and the 1562
Cartago church, that was constructed right
before the transfer of the inhabitants
of Garcimuñoz, the first city of
Cartago, later called the City of Mud.
In 1572, Juan of Estrada Rávago
left for Spain to stay until 1594, not
being replaced by anyone as parish priest
and vicar of Costa Rica. The presbyter
Alonso of Sandoval took the Management
in those years in 1591 with the title
of Provincial Vicar.
From 1594 until 1599, presbyter Martin
Muñoz was a parish priest with
the title of Vicar, and in 1599 presbyter
Jorge Chavarría took his place
until 1605, taking it again on other occasions.
It is known that ever since the beginnings
in 1562, until now, every single temple
built on this site have been to honor
the Patron Saint of Spain Santiago Apostle.
In
the years 1577-1580 a temple was built
that besides having a stronger structure
it possessed characteristics that identified
it as such; the temple was finished, having
needed the guild of the Rosary and the
Saint Sacrament according to tradition,
for the resurgence of it. It is in 1604;
twenty-four years after it’s inauguration
the temple is totally rebuilt, taking
twelve years to do so.
In
1630 another earthquake shakes the city,
causing considerable damages to the temple,
but these damages are not fixed until
1656, when presbyter Diego Obando and
Espinoza gives orders to proceed with
the demolition of the old temple, building
a new one that was partially paid for
by presbyter Alonso of Sandoval. The temple
is finished and inaugurated in 1662.
This
temple had two adjoining chapels, one
was made for the celebration of the rosaries,
and the other was to effect funeral honors
for the soul, parishioners coasted both
of them.
In
the next century (XVIII), in the year
1715, the shape of the temple is a worry
to both civil and ecclesiastic authorities,
but it is not until 1718, when another
earthquake shakes the city, that measures
are taken for important reparations. Thirty-eight
years later, in 1756, another earthquake
strikes, making a new reparation necessary.
Sixty-six
years later, in 1822, history repeats,
but it’s the earthquake of September
2, 1841, that completely destroys the
Parish church of Cartago.
In
August of 1862, the construction plans
presented by Francisco Krutze are approved
and building begins in 1870. For 30 years
the job is paralyzed, starting again in
1904, to be interrupted for good with
the Santa Monica earthquake, May 4, 1910.
Under
the circumstances, the old temple of San
Nicolás de Tolentino was called
Parish church of Carmen, later named Our
Lady of Carmen.
Location: 1st Avenue,
4th Street
|
