City of Cartago
The City of Cartago is located 14 miles souteast of San Jose. Cartago was the original colonial capital of Costa Rica.
Until 1823, Cartago was the colonial capital of Costa Rica. The city also gives the surrounding province its name as well as serving as the provincial capital. The city was given its Coat of Arms by King Phillip II of Spain. Notable sites here include the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles ( Our Lady of the Angels Basilica) and the Santiago Apostal Parish Ruins. The Basilica draws over one million pilgrims a year from all over the nation and even some from Nicaragua who come to see the La Negrita, a small statue of the Virgin Mary carrying the infant Jesus. The city is also home to the Technological Institute of Costa Rica, one of the most respected establishments of higher learning in the nation.
