天使之后圣殿

The focus of the city, once the capital, before and after the volcano and earthquake. The stained glass windows are beautiful.

The Church is located in Cartago. It is nice and big but asides from that there is not much too see. It's an old church but has been remodeled and is in great shape. You can get holy water there if you would like and outside they sell overpriced sourvenirs. It is in walking distance from the center of Cartago but it is not in the center. It's ok but if it is not in your plans I would save the money and hassle of going to Cartago just to see this church.

I wouldn't go out of my way to see the church but it is nice enough if you are in the area.Quite pretty building and interesting to see the devotees pray.

Let's face it this is not a pretty church, at least not on my book. The pictures actually make it look nicer than it is. The interior is even worse than the outside. I would not go out of my way, avoid Cartago all together and go to the Orosi valley.

Cartago is not known for its attractions which are very few, but Our Lady of the Angels Basilica surely is a grand item of architecture.

The Basilica is about the only thing to see in Cartago. It's worth a short visit to see the national shrine of Costa Rica. Obviously, if you are a Catholic it will have even more meaning for you.Make sure to visit the exhibition downstairs with all the mementos and relics left by folks thanking the Virgin for miracles and blessings. This is not the most beautiful or interesting church you'll ever see, but it's a piece of Costa Rican history worth detouring to see.

Large cathedral.Nothing exceptionalLots of beautiful woodworkLarge plaza.Would stop if convenient

As one observer mentioned if you've seen a lot of foreign cathedrals there isn't anything particularly interesting or beautiful about this one. Presumably in order to avoid suffering the same fate as the nearby Catholic basilica (twice destroyed by earthquakes and now in ruins with no roof and a garden inside) there is extensive use of sheet metal and plywood rather than stone. I felt saddened by the sight of the medals made out of silver? and purchased? by the impoverished sick. For example people who have a heart condition buy a heart made of silver and pay? to have it displayed to make their condition better. The church also has a 'magical' story about a little girl finding a statuette in the woods in this spot and taking it home as a doll. 'Magically' it left the little girl in the middle of the night and came back to this spot over and over. (There are so many things wrong with this story....Why the middle of the night when she's sleeping? Why is she allowed to take it away at all? How did a magical statuette come about in the first place? Who made it? Questions that any rational modern day six year old would ask).Also people sometimes drink water coming out of a drain pipe below the street that is said to be holy. I'm not making this up. It really seems like the naive are being abused and taken advantage of. You can buy plastic bottles in the shape of a religious figure to put the water in.Interesting to see more for the ritual aspects and to see people completely abandon reason and common sense, but I felt ashamed at seeing desperate people buying shiny metal representations of internal organs because that's what someone told them they had to do to get the attention of an invisible omni-present master overlord so he'd save their loved ones from death and disease.

The Basilica sits in the center of Cartago on the square. It is clearly an important feature of the town. From the outside you can see the well-constructed building and you are freely encourage to come in and appreciate the fine stone and wood work in the church. The cathedral has more or less survived several earthquakes with some damage. The basilica itself and the stone where the virgin appeared are in a recently rebuilt structure that was raised after the last strong earthquake. There are display cases of the various medals worn by people coming for a cure. The medals included heads, arms, fingers.. and is a testament to the faith of the public.

Our tour guide was a young Costa Rican friend, well versed in the history of the place. Pilgrims come to this site be healed, and then again to give thanks for having been healed. Our guide shared that she had made the pilgrimage from San Jose to this church several times, accompanying a family who were giving thanks for such a healing. When we were there, there were a number of persons approaching the altar on their knees. It was a beautiful inspiring place. And if you find yourself in Cartago, visit Las Ruinas as well!

When you are accustomed to the great european cathedrals (Strasbourg, Chartres,Reims etc..)this basilica is ,yes,average.It also pales besides churcheslike the ones on the Zocalo (Mexico City) or in Cusco which convey the feeling of colonial times.As a site in the middle of a city with few interesting buildings and no urbanismit is however welcome as are the "ruins" of the unfinished cathedral.

Fortunate to arrive at mass time and sit at one of the old benches by the doors ,fabulous view at the same time! Stunning colonial and Byzantine architecture give this basilica all the beauty of old European churches . Take your time to enjoy the beautiful stained glass windows and other religious relics throughout the basilica . Please be aware there are no public restrooms on the basilica grounds, but for a few coins there are public restrooms across the street! Really? Did not care for that ! Annual pilgrimage to the Basilica is on august 2nd, keep in mind as it is very crowded

This is by far the most beautiful church in Costa Rica with great photo opportunities. The plaza surrounding it is nice too.

A lot of religiuos tradition, history and reverence for our mother. At the "pilita" you can collect blessed water to take home and also visit the stone where the Virgin was found.

The history here is palpable. Especially notice the ceiling of the church. Take the chance to be very quiet, and you'll be rewarded.