Borrull Palace, Sant Mateu

Borrull Palace is a fifteenth-century townhouse standing right next to the town hall in Sant Mateu, in the province of Castellón. Its symmetrical ashlar-stone facade and the grand carved arch over the entrance make it one of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture in the Valencian region.

How do you get there?

Sant Mateu sits in the northern part of Castellón province, in the historic Maestrat district. The palace stands right in the middle of town, on the main square beside the town hall building, so once you reach the old quarter it is easy to find — simply head for the heart of the former walled town, where the most important monuments are clustered together.

What will you see?

The facade is the main draw: a wide, symmetrical composition of neatly dressed stone blocks, crowned by a monumental portal set beneath a great voussoired arch. A distinctive detail is the set of trefoil-shaped windows, typical of civil Gothic buildings from this period. The interior has been reworked many times over the centuries to suit the building's changing uses, which is why the exterior elevation remains the main reason to stop here.

The building's history mirrors the shifting fortunes of the local elite. It was originally home to Don Sans, advisor to the lieutenant of the Order of Montesa in the seventeenth century. Ownership later passed to the Vilanova family, and finally to the Borrull family, from whom the palace takes its present name. One dramatic episode is tied to the house: Bishop Borrull died there in 1758 during a stay at the residence.

Toward the end of the nineteenth century, the building took on an institutional role — between 1883 and 1892 it housed a criminal court (Audiencia de lo Criminal) serving the judicial districts of Sant Mateu, Albocàsser, Morella and Vinaròs. It was during this period that locals began calling the building "L'Audiència," a nickname that is still used today alongside its official name, Borrull Palace.

When should you visit?

The facade can be admired year-round, since the building is mainly seen from the outside while strolling through the centre of Sant Mateu. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking the old town, as temperatures in this inland Mediterranean corner of Maestrat are milder than in summer. It's worth pairing the visit with the neighbouring town hall and the other monuments clustered on the same square, letting you take in the historic centre's main highlights without much extra walking.

Frequently asked questions

From what period does Borrull Palace date? The building was constructed in the fifteenth century, making it one of the oldest surviving examples of civil Gothic architecture in Sant Mateu.

Why is the palace sometimes called "L'Audiència"? The nickname dates from 1883-1892, when the building served as a criminal court covering several nearby judicial districts, including Morella and Vinaròs.

Can visitors go inside the palace? The interior has been extensively altered over the centuries to accommodate the building's different uses, so the main highlight for visitors remains the facade, viewed from outside.

What is the most distinctive feature of the building's appearance? Its symmetrical ashlar-stone facade, the monumental portal beneath a voussoired arch, and the trefoil-shaped windows characteristic of the region's civil Gothic style.