Located in the district of Hortaleza, this church, inaugurated in 1879, is considered one of the most outstanding examples of the neomudéjar style in Madrid. On 30 May 2021, it was declared a Cultural Heritage Site (BIP) in Madrid for its historical, architectural and artistic value.
The church stands on the site of another previous church, demolished in the 1850s. The new church was designed by Antonio María Repullés y Vargas, one of the most important architects of his time. The construction materials (brick) used were simple and inexpensive, but through the application of skill and creativity, and the incorporation of Mudejar style structural and decorative elements, the resulting building became a fundamental starting point in the development of one of the most characteristic styles of Madrid architecture from late 19th and early 20th century.
The church of San Matías has a rectangular floor plan and a single bell tower over the presbytery. It also features a stunning Gothic rib vault over the main chapel. The building as a whole has a majestic air, based on the geometric sharpness of the volumes that make up the tower, the navem and the main chapel, which give it a monumental aesthetic even though it is not particularly large.
The parish is part of the original village of Hortaleza, dating from the 15th century. Only the church and a few surrounding buildings from the original village are still standing, preserving the urban structure of the 19th century.
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