Teatro Nacional - Costa Rica

A source of cultural pride for the performance arts, Teatro Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica still stands like a grand dame even after being rocked by an earthquake.  Coffee plantation owners through their tax contributions financed the construction when it began in 1891 and completed in 1897.  As of 2014, major renovation is in progress to improve the quality of the auditorium, shore up the building structure to withstand earthquakes and preserve the ornate frescoes, murals and other art works created by European artisans. The interpretation of the work life of coffee plantations depicted in the murals was based on what an Italian artist envisioned at the time.