Historic Sites

Within the downtown area of Santa Rosa you can visit houses and buildings that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, constructed with adobe walls, spacious corridors and courtyard gardens, balconies forged in iron or wood and clay-tiled roofs.  Some of the greatest families and figures in Honduran history have lived in these houses. Their legacy has left a footprint on the architecture and the history of Santa Rosa. Today these buildings are testimonies to the rich history of the city. In the historical center, the visitor can take a guided or autoguided tour in which you will pass through the cobblestone streets, appreciate the architecture, and learn about the cultural heritage of Santa Rosa de Copán. To receive materials about this tour, visit the Tourism Information Office in the kiosk of the central park.

Some of the buildings that make up the historical downtown are the following:

Hospital de Occidente
The Western Hospital was founded in 1902 as part as a women’s group project. The hospital was initially located in a house that is today part of the Labor Union of Copán (la Sociedad Copaneca de Obreros), which was formerly an asylum for the homeless. The shelter was converted into the hospital’s headquarters and the hospital board was organized in 1905. In 1912 the board was headed by Dr. Jerónimo J. Reina who granted the municipal land that the hospital now occupies. In 1929 the Sisters of Salesianas took charge of the hospital. The hospital operated solely on private donations and a small government subsidy until 1940 when it passed under government control. In 1948 the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception took charge of the hospital.

Hospicio Amparo San Antonio
The San Antonio Orphanage was constructed in 1940 with the goal of helping the homeless children of Santa Rosa. Workon the building began in 1949. On March 8, 1959, the operation of the orphanage was turned over to a religious order, Religiosas Franciscanas de la Purísima. In 1960 they opened a primary school.

Mercado Central
In 1909 the city saw the need to construct a public market. Up until this point, plants and vegetables were sold on the street without municipal interference. Work on the market was completed in 1912. Throughout the years, this market has grown and now it is even possible to buy a permanent stall there. The northwestern wing was renovated in 2001.

Escuela de Varones
The boys’ school was founded November 20, 1843 as the Escuela Aurora de Santa Rosa de Copán. The building was constructed in 1914 during Jerónimo J. Reina’s term as governor. In 1921 a public clock was installed which functioned for many years until it was moved to the Morazán stronghold (the battalion) in 1949.

Sociedad Copaneca de Obreros
The Society of Copan Workers, the only organization of its kind that exists in Honduras, was founded in 1908 as The Society of Copan Artisans (Sociedad Copaneca de Artesanos). Until 1921 the headquarters was located where you will now find the central market. The office was moved to its current location with the help of its members and support from Governor Jerónimo J. Reina. In 1928 they laid the first stone of this new building.

Escuela de Niñas Manuel Bonilla
In April of 1913 this building was declared a municipal property with the help of a local women’s group and a handful of professors from the San Carlos institute. Shortly after, it became a school for children.

Ubicación Esquina Banadesa
In accordance with a municipal act on January 9, 1844, it was determined that it was necessary to divide the city into 4 neighborhoods the intersection where Banadesa Bank now stands. The 4 neighborhoods are “El Calvario,” “Santa Teresa,” “Las Mercedes,” and “El Carmen.”

Esquina del Banco de Occidente
At this spot once stood the best pharmacy in Central America, La Farmacia Central de Arias Fiallos y Co. Years later, on September 1, 1951, the location was transformed into a bank (Banco de Occidente) by Don Manuel Bueso Pineda, his son Lic. Jorge Bueso Arias and other distinguished citizens of Santa Rosa and the department of Copán.

Kiosco del Parque Central
Freedom Garden or “El jardin, La Libertad” as the central park was originally named, was initially, as the name indicates, a garden. “La Libertad” was adopted in honor of freedom of thought, which characterized the conservative tobacco farmers of this era. The kiosk was finished in 1900 and the garden became a park when construction was finished in 1912. Now the park is home to the Tourism Office, open Monday through Saturday, a number of wooden benches where you can sit and relax, a fountain, and a wide variety of beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.

Farmacia Medina
This building housed the first printing press brought to Santa Rosa in 1888 by Don Eduardo Hernández. Don Eduardo was also the owner of a pharmacy, la Farmacia Moderna, which eventually became Farmacia Medina.

Flor de Copan
Before it became a private residence, this building served as a high school beginning in 1928 under the direction of Sra. Herminia Pagnini. The school is still functioning elsewhere under the name of Instituto María Auxiliadora.

The heritage of Santa Rosa and the department of Copán has historically been tobacco and cigar fabrication. In fact, at one time, the Honduran government sponsored a very successful school in the municipality of Veracruz where they taught students how to grow tobacco and make cigars. La Flor de Copan cigar factory began its operations in November 1973. The original brand used was “Tabacos de Copan”, which was created on July 26, 1966 by an anonymous group of farmers.

Copan Industrial (in front of Restaurante Las Haciendas)
In 1935, in this house, the first versions of Maicena “El Bebe” and the soft drink “Copan Dry” were produced. The first package was made in 1937 and Copan Industrial was born. The founders were Dr. Ricardo Pineda Tábora and his wife, Doña Elisa Escalante de Pineda. In 1946, the factory was moved to its current location in Barrio Santa Teresa. Today, Copan Industrial products are appreciated throughout the country and the region.

Edificio de la Casa de la Cultura
In October 1874 under the authority of President Don Ponciano Leiva, a science institute “San Carlos de Borromeo” was inaugurated, becoming Santa Rosa’s first educational center. The center was initially located in the buildings of the tobacco factory. It was shut down in 1904, but reopened in 1912 as a boys’ school. The school later combined with a girls’ school to become the Instituto Álvaro Contreras, which operated in this building from 1914-1974. In 1987, the Cultural House was created. The theater house was added in 1994, and the entire building was restored in 1999.

Casa Arias
This house belonged to Dr. Juan Ángel Arias Bográn, Director of the National University of the West from 1883-85 and President of Honduras in 1903. In 1932, the country club “Casino Copaneco” was founded with the help of local citizens. The club was housed in this building until 1979. In 2003 the building was restored and reopened in the form of a commercial center, which was named Casa Arias.

Esquina de la Gobernación
The main street was officially named Calle Centenario in 1943 at this location to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the coronation of Santa Rosa as a city.

Cine Hispano
In 1880 Doña Manuela Cuellar Bueso de Bueso, supported by her children and in honor of Don Julio Bueso Pineda, founded the first commercial center in Santa Rosa under the name “Casa Bueso.” The site was constructed in 1914 where it functioned until October 27, 1946 when it burned down. The old building was sold to a theatrical company, la Empresa Teatral Hernández, which opened the cinema “Cine Hispano,” and Casa Bueso moved to its current site.

Centro de Salud
This building was formerly the site of the Constitutional City Hall of Los Llanos.  At the close of the 19th century, it was converted into the Armory.  The building was the scene of continuous fighting between the Hondurans for partisan reasons.  It was constructed in 1814 and destroyed in 1959, in order to build the “Dr. Vicente Fernández Mejia” Health Center.

Opposite Corner of the Mercado Central
On this corner stood the house and headquarters of Don Victoriano Castellanos, President of Honduras in 1862.  It was also the site of legal associations where the official name of the nation was changed from the State of Honduras to the Republic of Honduras on May 7, 1862.  In addition the government headquarters was moved here a second time from June-November of 1863.

Iglesia Catedral
Though the exact date is not known, most documents indicate that the central park was created in 1798. The church was finished and blessed in 1803. In 1862, the clock was added. Under the watch of Bishop Mons. Ángel Maria Navarro, the church was reconstructed in 1948 with a larger alter and other improvements. In 1973 the original atrium was demolished and it was discovered that the outskirts served as the first cemetery of the city from 1803-1825.

Municipalidad
The first city hall was created in 1812 by decree of the Spanish constitutional courts, which until this point in time held the title to the town. These documents indicate that by 1814 the population of Los Llanos had exceeded 1,000 residents. The first mayor was Sr. Mariano Pineda. In the years that followed, Pineda continued work on the city hall until independence from Spain was declared in 1821.

Obispado
The first house for the priests of Santa Rosa was located on the northeast corner of the central park beginning in 1813. On February 2, 1916, the Western Diocese was created making the church a cathedral. The current residence, El Palacio Episcopal, was constructed by Monseñor Ángel Maria Navarro in 1935.

Batallón
The battalion, formerly known as Fort Francisco Morazán, is the home of the Third Military Unit and 12th Army Battalion. It was constructed in 1942.

Instituto Maria Auxiliadora
The Instituto Salesiano María Auxiliadora opened its doors on February 15, 1928. It was previously located in the house of Don Francisco Bueso on Calle Centenario. Part of the land was donated in 1928 by Señor Carlos Gauggel and the rest was obtained in 1931. Construction was slow, but the school was finally opened on October 22, 1938 thanks to the efforts of the community and founding fathers who worked alongside the Sisters Salesianas.