If you ever visit San José in Costa Rica, you might want to see the popular attraction which is the iconic art-deco style building the “Botica Solera”.
Fun Fact: The former and first owner’s grandson is currently volunteering with United Planet. Read more to learn about the story of this historic monument which became a National Multicultural Center.
Letter from Alex Cordero Solera:
Botica Solera History
Boston, US.
March,2019
Quoting my grandfather Hernan Solera.
This building belonged to our family and my grandfather was the person who started its construction in
1932. At that time San José did not have big buildings so the new one was amazing for the citizen of the city and was a very important point of reference. Till now many addresses use the name of the Botica Solera as a reference.
It is important to say the architect that designed the building tried to copy a famous building in New York, the Flatiron Building, of course in a smaller scale. The Botica Solera has two floors with a roof at the top. And a big German pendulum clock that use to give the hour and you could hear the bells around the town.
This building had a very cheap value at that time, when we had a strong money. And is made only with German cement, not bricks. It has withstood many earthquakes and is standing to now.
My uncle was a pharmaceutical so he with my father started the Botica Solera selling medicines, candies, cosmetics and many other things. When I was very young, I used to go and eat candies and I loved to go to the roof and use my bicycles and other toys over there. I am trying to find these photos
In 1948 Costa Rica had a revolution (the last one in its history) and my uncle and my father helped with medicines to the army that was fighting for the liberation of the people in this country. So, the government tried to fire the building but a hero, an employer of my uncle, Miguel Montero Ulate, a brave man, took a barrel with an explosive liquid and says to the terrorist, if you want to burn us go ahead but I will fire this barrel, and everybody is going to die. So, the terrorist’s left running!
Later my uncles gave the building to my aunts and finally, as it was a famous building, the Municipality of San José bought the building and now is cultural heritage of the city,
Cordially
Alex Cordero Solera/ grandchild the Hernan Solera
Grandson of the builder, Manuel Solera Villegas
Note the Hernán Solera; if anyone in United Planet wants to come to Costa Rica, I would be very happy to give you a tour to this building and other points of interest in our country. Really a pleasure!
Join us and learn more about Volunteering in Costa Rica.
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