Church of San Matías, Madrid

The Church of San Matías is a modest parish church in Madrid, in the Hortaleza district, regarded as one of the earliest and most distinctive examples of Neo-Mudéjar architecture in the Spanish capital. Its plain brick exterior hides a set of details borrowed from Islamic-inspired design, which is exactly what draws architecture enthusiasts to this quiet corner of the city.

Where exactly is the church located?

The building stands at Plaza de la Iglesia 2, right at the heart of what used to be the village of Hortaleza, now a district in northern Madrid. This small square was once the center of the whole settlement, and the church, together with a handful of neighboring buildings, is one of the few surviving traces of the original 15th-century village that was later absorbed by Madrid's expanding urban area.

How did the current building come about?

The parish itself dates back to the 16th century, but the original church, built when Hortaleza had only a little over a hundred inhabitants, did not survive — it collapsed in the 1850s. The design for its replacement was drawn up in 1877 by architect Enrique María Repullés y Vargas, construction was finished the following year, and the church was formally inaugurated in 1879. Repullés worked with cheap, unremarkable brick, but through the skillful handling of form and Mudéjar-inspired detail he produced a building that became a reference point for the entire Neo-Mudéjar movement that later flourished across Madrid at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

What is worth seeing at the church?

The floor plan is a simple rectangle, typical of small parish churches of the period, but a Gothic ribbed vault was built above the main chapel, creating a striking contrast with the plain brick walls surrounding it. The most recognizable feature is the tower above the presbytery, capped with a minaret-like form featuring four horseshoe arches, each facing one of the cardinal directions — the clearest nod to the Islamic-influenced Mudéjar tradition the whole design draws on. Despite its small scale, the building reads as a coherent and carefully considered piece of architecture. In May 2021, the regional government of the Comunidad de Madrid recognized these qualities by listing the church as a Bien de Interés Patrimonial, a heritage protection category, citing its historical, architectural and artistic value.

When can you visit?

The church is open daily from 1:15 to 4:00 pm, with additional evening hours from Thursday to Saturday, between 8:30 and 10:30 pm — the best windows for stepping inside to see the vaulted chapel and the presbytery. It's worth calling ahead on +34 917 631 239 to confirm current hours, especially if you're planning to visit outside of Mass times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where in Madrid is the Church of San Matías located? In the Hortaleza district, at Plaza de la Iglesia 2, on the site of a former village that was later absorbed into greater Madrid.

Who designed the current church building? Architect Enrique María Repullés y Vargas drew up the design in 1877; construction was completed in 1878 and the church was inaugurated in 1879.

Why is this church considered an important example of Neo-Mudéjar architecture? It's one of the earliest buildings in this style in Madrid — the combination of inexpensive brick with Mudéjar-inspired detail, especially the horseshoe-arched tower, made it a model for later Neo-Mudéjar buildings in the city.

What are the opening hours? Daily from 1:15 to 4:00 pm, plus evening hours from Thursday to Saturday, from 8:30 to 10:30 pm.