Escazu: Historic Houses and Sacred Details

Escazu invites you to appreciate architecture not only for its age, but also for its visible details. In the vicinity of the Oratorio San Gildar, large wooden doors and the furnishings of a sacred space shape the scene; in the center, historic places and houses draw attention to architectural styles. You can shape your stay around what interests you most: religious imagery and inherited tradition, or the architecture of historic buildings.

Sacred details and an inherited tradition

The large wooden doors of the Oratorio San Gildar enclose the sacred space. Inside, the furnishings include a wooden altar, benches, a railing, and candle holders. Paintings depicting the life and death of Christ, his mother, and the saints, along with other religious images, complete the ensemble. The door and altar bring wood into focus as a recurring material; the paintings and images bring religious motifs to the fore. Together, they offer different ways to appreciate a sacred space: its enclosure, its furnishings, and its imagery. The site is also associated with a family tradition. A vigil for the Señor del Triunfo is traditionally held at the Oratorio on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. This specific date sets the tradition apart from a general description of the oratory and gives culturally curious travelers a reason to explore the festival calendar.

Historic places and architectural styles in the center

The Parroquia de San Miguel de Escazu is one of the oldest and most striking historic places in the center of Escazu. This distinction makes it a point of reference for anyone interested in the history of the town. The Casona de la familia López also holds a special place: it is the only private building in Escazu that still has heritage status. Built from adobe and bahareque, the building offers a concrete example of two traditional construction materials. Comparing it with another historic home broadens the view of the architecture without equating the two buildings.

La casa de los Quirós is a corner house built from adobe that preserves original features of older buildings in the country. While two materials are named for the Casona, the emphasis here is on the preserved architectural style. Together, the two houses raise different questions: Which building methods can be identified, and which original features have been preserved? Along with the centrally located Parroquia, they form a cultural focal point that differs from the sacred details of the nearby Oratorio.

Choosing a location to suit your interests

The different settings can help guide your choice of vacation rental: the Parroquia de San Miguel and the historic houses are in the center, while the Oratorio San Gildar is in the vicinity of the destination. Consider which places you would particularly like to focus on during your trip. If you are most interested in historic architectural styles, the Casona and casa de los Quirós offer different architectural points of interest. If sacred furnishings and religious traditions appeal to you, the Oratorio's details and the vigil take center stage. This way, you can choose where to stay based on your interests without needing every place to share the same focus.

Discover more destinations

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