Juan Santamaría Rodríguez (1831 – 1856) was a drummer in the Costa Rican army. He died carrying a torch he used to light the enemy’s stronghold on fire, helping secure a victory for Costa Rica against William Walker and his forces in the Battle of Rivas. His actions made him a Costa Rican hero.
Juan Santamaría Day, a national holiday in Costa Rica, is held on April 11th to commemorate his death. San Juan’s airport is named after him.
On September 15, 1891, this bronze statue of Juan Santamaria was erected in a park, bearing his name, in his home town of Alajuela. The park contains a few cannons and a number of plaques. It’s a nice open space, close to the airport, and makes for an interesting stop.
