Mascaradas de Cartago

Cartago is the documented birthplace of Costa Rica's entire mascarada tradition: polymath craftsman Rafael Lito Valerin organised the first true mascarada there in 1877 for the city's August festivities honouring the Virgen de los Angeles, after reportedly discovering a trunk of antique Spanish cabezudo masks. His son Jesus Valerin later introduced clay from Tejar del Guarco into the craft, refining a tradition that subsequently spread to and took on distinct local character in towns including Aserri, Barva, Escazu and Alajuelita.

Cartago holds the founding place in Costa Rica's mascarada tradition: Rafael Lito Valerin, born in 1824 in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Cartago, also known as La Puebla de los Pardos and the site where legend holds the image of the Virgin of the Angeles was originally found, organised what is considered the first true mascarada for the city's August festivities in 1877, held specifically to honour the Virgen de los Angeles, Costa Rica's patron saint.