National Museum of Costa Rica – Bellavista Barracks
José Francisco Salazar Quesada; José María Barrantes · San José, Costa Rica · 1950
Costa Rica's National Museum occupies the former Bellavista Barracks above the streets of central San José. The military complex combines a substantial enclosure, towers and internal courts, with contributions from José Francisco Salazar Quesada and José María Barrantes. Its conversion to a museum changed the meaning of the building while retaining clear evidence of its earlier function. The contrast between defensive architecture, planted spaces and contemporary exhibition use makes the site especially useful for studying institutional adaptation. Visiting: Museum admission is ticketed. The building was adapted from the former Bellavista military barracks. Year marks the museum's move into the former barracks; military construction is earlier.