The construction of the building that now houses the National Center of Culture (CENAC) began in 1853, by mandate of the then President of the Republic Juan Rafael Mora Porras, which makes it one of the oldest in San José. The objective was to have a place for the legal distillation of liquors, to comply with the centralization and nationalization of distilled liquors in Costa Rica.

When it was inaugurated in 1856, the total area of the National Liquor Factory was 14,000 square meters, of which 11,000 were dedicated to buildings and 2,900 to roads and gardens. The factory operated in the building until 1981, the year in which a new space was set up in Grecia, Alajuela province.

During the Calderón Fournier administration, he suggested the idea of creating a space for artistic disciplines. This led to the founding in 1994 of the National Center of Culture (CENAC). Since then, spaces such as the Teatro 1887, Teatro de la Danza and the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, among others, have been created. The building also

houses the offices of the Ministry of Culture and Youth. 

(Information from SINABI)

Source Maritza Cartin

Cultural Heritage Research Center

Museum of Contemporary Art and Design

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