Water as an identifying feature
The church of San Mateo Apóstol stands watch in a defensive position from a vantage point over the river that gives its name to a town known as the ‘little Venice’ because of the Camarena irrigation channel that runs through the centre of its town centre, flanked by shady plane trees. The temple was built in the 16th century and was originally a church-fortress, hence its location on the top and its tower.
The position of the tower behind the chancel of the church, the prismatic character of its lower body, without decoration, with no openings other than the windows near its top, and the fact that it is accessed from the first floor, suggest that it existed as a defensive tower that was part of the castle that still gives its name to the square in which it stands.
The church of San Mateo Apóstol stands watch in a defensive position from a vantage point over the river that gives its name to a town known as the ‘little Venice’ because of the Camarena irrigation channel that runs through the centre of its town centre, flanked by shady plane trees. The temple was built in the 16th century and was originally a church-fortress, hence its location on the top and its tower.
The position of the tower behind the chancel of the church, the prismatic character of its lower body, without decoration, with no openings other than the windows near its top, and the fact that it is accessed from the first floor, suggest that it existed as a defensive tower that was part of the castle that still gives its name to the square in which it stands.
Mudejar balcony over the Gállego River plains
The church of San Mateo Apóstol has one of the most decorated façades of the Aragonese Mudejar style and is, without doubt, one of the symbols of the town. The church has a single nave divided into two sections covered with a ribbed vault, with side chapels and another space for the choir at the foot of the church. The chevet is straight and covered with a star-shaped ribbed vault. The choir dates from the end of the 15th century and its altarpiece is Renaissance. The main altarpiece in the Plateresque style features an image of the apostle San Mateo and other paintings that are similar to those found in the parish church of Zuera.
San Mateo de Gállego has a centre for the interpretation of 21st century Mudejar ceramics which is a space for knowledge, culture and the exchange of creative experiences. This Fernando Malo Workshop-Museum is a first-rate cultural resource for discovering the value of ceramic craftsmanship throughout history.
It is also worth visiting the hermitage of Santa Engracia, from where you can enjoy an unbeatable view of the Ebro depression.
The church of San Mateo Apóstol has one of the most decorated façades of the Aragonese Mudejar style and is, without doubt, one of the symbols of the town. The church has a single nave divided into two sections covered with a ribbed vault, with side chapels and another space for the choir at the foot of the church. The chevet is straight and covered with a star-shaped ribbed vault. The choir dates from the end of the 15th century and its altarpiece is Renaissance. The main altarpiece in the Plateresque style features an image of the apostle San Mateo and other paintings that are similar to those found in the parish church of Zuera.
San Mateo de Gállego has a centre for the interpretation of 21st century Mudejar ceramics which is a space for knowledge, culture and the exchange of creative experiences. This Fernando Malo Workshop-Museum is a first-rate cultural resource for discovering the value of ceramic craftsmanship throughout history.
It is also worth visiting the hermitage of Santa Engracia, from where you can enjoy an unbeatable view of the Ebro depression.
Information
Town hall: 976 684 180
wwww.sanmateodegallego.es
VISIT SAN MATEO DE GÁLLEGO 976 633 296
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Aragon Tourism
turismodearagon.com
Territorio Mudéjar Network
The city council has been a founding member of Territorio Mudéjar since march 2019.
Projects Territorio Mudéjar in San Mateo de Gállego
Monuments | View the project
Pedagogy | View the project
Mudetrad Project | View the project
Mudejar plaster | View the project
Didactic Mudejar, the guide | View the project
‘Circular’ Family walks | View the project
