Class Field Trip to Cartago

My class took a field trip to Cartago (one of Costa Rica's seven provinces) to visit some historical sites. We traveled in a bus for about an hour to reach our first destination, the Ruinas de Ujarrás. Located in the Valley of Orosi (a province of Cartago), the Ruinas de Ujarrás are what remains of the first church constructed in Costa Rica during the 17th century when the Spanish were beginning to colonize Costa Rica. The ruins are surrounded by a garden of different species of native plants and flowers. 

Las Ruinas de Ujarrás

The other site we visited was the Church at Orosi. This church was constructed in the early 18th Century and is still used today; however, the construction of a new church has already begun. The original church will be used for just tourism and historical purposes after the new church is finished. Both of the places we visited were interesting and gave insight to the power colonization can have on a culture, people, and way of life. 

The Church at Orosi

Inside the Church at Orosi

After visiting the two sites, we went to a scenic outlook of Orosi to have a picnic lunch. I think everyone had fun taking pictures and hanging out.

 

Class Photo

Next week I will be traveling to three different places in Costa Rica. I leave this Friday afternoon and will return next Saturday evening.