Every Thursday, Dawn of ‘The Day After’ blog, hosts the ‘Lingering Look at Windows’ challenge. As I posted about the beautiful topiary gardens in Zarcero a few days ago, I decided to show you the windows of the pretty little Iglesia de San Rafael church, which stands just above the Parque Francisco Alvarado. The outside of the church looks to be of brick construction, but is actually made from metal siding.
It was built in 1895, and the stunningly beautiful interior, was painted by Misael Solis, a local, self-taught artist.
The stately columns which line the inside of the church, are painted to look like marble.
The many stained glass windows are so colourful and truly lovely.
Unlike most European churches, these windows are quite plain, with no pictures on them, just gorgeous, luminous coloured glass.
It was a sheer delight to wander around this exquisitely decorated place of worship.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Thursday’s windows. To see more entries, just pop over to Dawn’s blog.
anotherdayinparadise 
What an astonishing building, it’s full of cheer and colour. Certainly nothing like I’ve ever seen…
Yes, I agree with you, Mike. Thanks for looking and following. 🙂
All very pretty 🙂
Yes, it was. One of the prettiest I’ve seen. 🙂
The outside is gorgeous but that shot leading up to the altar was breathtaking.
Thanks, Dawn. I have to agree with you. 🙂
Wow, that is one fabulous church!
Glad you enjoyed seeing the pics, Mona. 🙂
I can imagine how spectacular it must be seeing the light coming in through those windows! Beautiful, Sylvia! 🙂
Thanks so much, Marina. It was a very special place to visit. 🙂
Beeeeautiful!
Thanks, RoSy. 🙂
Beautiful church and such great shots to show it off.
I’m just back from a short 3-day trip up the coast. I feel buried in emails and blogs to read and comment on and replies… don’t know how you manage to keep up with all that.
Thanks so much, Gunta. Hope you had a great trip. I actually don’t manage to keep up with everybody. It’s just an illusion. 🙂
Wonderful post! Thank you.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Drop dead gorgeous church. Great way to attract worshippers and wannabe’s into coming to church. 😀
Absolutely. One could just sit and admire the decor. 🙂
Wow so colourful!
Thanks, Ute. 🙂
The interior of that church is fabulous! 🙂
Yes it is, LuAnn. Glad you enjoyed seeing it. 🙂
I personally enjoy going into churches to see their range of beauty … and this one was great … so thanks for taking me along.
Me too, Frank. Glad you enjoyed your visit to this charming little one. 🙂
There is somehow more of a joyful atmosphere in many foreign churches which I’ve found lacking in the UK I feel Sylvia . Lovely pictures !
Thanks, Poppy. Yes you’re right about that. I think it’s because they are more colourful, that they have a happy vibe. 🙂
Einen schönen Tag eine wunderschöne Kirche und tolle Fenster.Wünsche ein sonniges schönes Wochenende.Lieber Gruß Gislinde
Thank you so much, Gislinde. A happy weekend to you. 🙂
I still miss Costa-Rica… 🙂
I could go back there in a heart beat.
it looks so modern and opulent!
It does still look like new, Tandy. It’s very well cared for.
Beautiful captures!
Thanks so much, YC. 🙂
I did enjoy your post. What a beautifully, heavenly place! The stained glass windows are simply unique and lovely! Thanks for sharing your “windows”.
Thanks, Sheila. Glad you enjoyed this post. 🙂
The magnificent architecture of churches never ceases to amaze me! Wonderful photos, Sylvia 😀
Thanks so much, Dianne. 🙂
Superb indoor photography and beautiful architecture.
Thanks so much, GOF. 🙂
This is so colorful, I really like it, Sylvia! Much better than the gold filled pompous ones.
Yes, it was one of the most lovely churches I’ve ever seen. I’m sure it is the pride and joy of the local towns folk.
What a colorful church, Sylvia! The windows are perfect for the challenge. Costa Rica is another place that I have on my to-go list!
Yes, it’s a really delightful church. I know that you and your family would absolutely love Costa Rica. 🙂 Happy weekend to you, Naomi.
Same to you, Sylvia!
Stunning architecture Sylvia and I love the windows. Thanks for sharing these beautiful captures. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sonel. 🙂 xx
How beautiful 🙂
Thanks, Amy. 🙂
That’s a bit special, Ad 🙂 I really should be polishing up some windows for Dawn. I’ll go and pay a visit for now.
Thanks, Jo. 🙂
Very artistic ! Love it the ornament Sylvia!
Thanks so much, DellaAnna. 🙂
Beautiful
Thanks, Seonaid. 🙂
Gorgeous! Your photos of the interior are particularly stunning!
Thanks so much, NIcole. 🙂
How beautiful and unusual 🙂
Thanks, Gilly. 🙂
So bright and beautiful!!
Thanks, Cindy. 🙂
I love the pops of pink!
Thanks, Lisa. 🙂
It’s really an amazing church. From the outside it looks like a doll house. Beautiful pictures, too.
Thanks so much, Otto. 🙂
Gorgeous pictures, and so hard to take! I love them! I think I will have to do a post on windows after my visits this past year. You’ve inspired me once again. BTW I don’t seem to be able to post via WordPress right now. I don’t know what is wrong, so sometimes I just look. 🙂
Hi, Marsha. Thanks for looking and commenting. What problem to you have with posting? Happy weekend to you. 🙂
What a gorgeous church… and what a brilliant artist… the paintings are past words, almost any one of the classic painters could be accredited with it… this artist needs more recognition…
I so agree with you, bulldog. It’s really amazingly beautiful.
Such a variety of color of stained glass. Wow!
Thanks, Sue. I was really impressed. 🙂
I think that being in that church would make you feel happy and help solve any problems you might have
Absolutely. 🙂
It is beautiful because of its simplicity. Metal siding, columns painted to look like marble.Local people very proud of this church. It shows.
Thanks, Lynne. Yes, I agree with you. 🙂
wow! stunningly beautiful, Sylvia! Misail Solis is a genius! the stained-glass windows are simple yet elegant adding warmth and joy to the interior! thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much, Lola. This little church is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. 🙂
Unusual and incredibly beautiful.
Thanks so much, Jack. 🙂
Crikey! What a razzmatazz church!
If you don’t find god here…you probably wont find him anywhere! 🙂
Hehehe. Trust you to come up with a comment like this. 🙄
What a beautiful church! 🙂
I so agree with you, Imelda. 🙂
Wow! That is one colourful church.
It’s really gorgeous. 🙂
Your ‘Thursday’s Windows’ and the building that houses them is absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing them with us – really warming to see.
Emma 🙂
Thanks, Emma. So glad you enjoyed. 🙂
Ah..costa rica..I love that city! especially back in early 80’s 🙂
It’s a beautiful country, Andy. 🙂
Truly is 🙂 All the way from tierra de fuego to Santiago and up to Peru, so much culture and beauty 🙂
Just gorgeous and so light and airy, not dark as so many churches are !
Thanks, Kathryn. Yes it was a really light and happy church. 🙂