Templete da Rede de San Luís

Templete da Rede de San Luís in O Porriño is a small but remarkable structure — a cast-iron and ceramic pavilion that traveled from Madrid to Galicia over fifty years ago as a tribute to the town's most famous resident.

What exactly is this structure?

This open-work pavilion of wrought iron, decorated with colourful ceramic tiles, was built in Madrid in the early 20th century. It served as the street-level entrance to a station on the first line of the Madrid Metro, known as Red de San Luis (today's Gran Vía station), which opened in 1919. It was designed by Antonio Palacios, one of Spain's most important turn-of-the-century architects — creator of landmarks such as the Palacio de Cibeles and several original Madrid Metro entrances — who was born in O Porriño. The templete combined a practical function, sheltering the stairway down to the underground platform, with the decorative style typical of Palacios, blending eclectic and Art Nouveau motifs with references to traditional Galician architecture.

How did a Madrid metro kiosk end up in O Porriño?

The kiosk served Madrid commuters until around 1970, when a redesign of the metro network made it redundant. On the initiative of the Madrid Architects' Association, together with the O Porriño town council and local cultural figures, the structure was dismantled and transported to the architect's home town. The templete arrived in O Porriño in 1971 as a symbolic gesture, returning a piece of Palacios's own work to the place where he was born. Since then it has stood in the alameda, the town's main tree-lined promenade, within what is now Campo da Feira park. More recently, as part of efforts to preserve Palacios's architectural legacy, the Xunta de Galicia carried out a thorough restoration, investing more than 260,000 euros to recover the original metalwork and ceramic details; the work was completed in early 2025.

What will you see there?

The templete is a landmark set among the greenery of the alameda — an octagonal, domed structure with characteristic arched openings, coloured tiles, and an ornamental crown. It's worth walking all the way around it to appreciate the ironwork and ceramic detailing, recently restored to its original appearance. The site also carries local significance: the templete is sometimes used as a gathering point during town festivities, including as the starting point for the Porrigalia parades, O Porriño's annual carnival celebration. Entry is free, and the structure can be viewed year-round in the open park space.

When should you visit?

The alameda and its templete are open every day, all day, with no ticket booth or fixed visiting hours — it's part of the public park, not a paid attraction. Afternoon light works best for photographs, as the sun highlights the ceramic ornamentation. If your trip coincides with Porrigalia (held around late February or early March), it's worth seeing the templete as the parade's starting point, when the square takes on a festive atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the templete? No. It stands in an open public park and can be visited free of charge throughout the year.

Who designed the templete? Antonio Palacios, an architect born in O Porriño, known for numerous works in Madrid, including the original Madrid Metro station entrances.

Why is a Madrid structure now in Galicia? After being taken out of service in Madrid around 1970, it was moved to the architect's home town as a tribute to his work, arriving in O Porriño in 1971.

Has the templete been restored recently? Yes. The Xunta de Galicia funded a restoration completed in early 2025, costing more than 260,000 euros, which recovered the original look of its metal and ceramic elements.