
4.7(74 reviews)
Iglesia de San Matías
4.7(74 reviews)
Iglesia de San Matías
Standing proudly in the main square of Gran Canaria's highest village, the Church of San Matías serves as the spiritual and social heart of Artenara. Its two towers built from red stone quarried in Tirma mark the rhythm of local life: one houses the bell tower while the other displays the clock that has always kept time for this mountain community living over a thousand meters above sea level.
Inside, visitors are greeted by quiet beauty. The hand-carved wooden ceiling is a masterpiece of craftsmanship that draws eyes upward, while the walls showcase stunning murals by José Arencibia Gil, a celebrated Canarian artist. The depiction of Christ's Ascension in the presbytery particularly captivates those who step into this temple built in the traditional grey and white Canarian style.
Beyond being a religious monument, San Matías represents the meeting point of Artenara—a place where stories, traditions, and the identity of a village that has preserved its essence among peaks and ravines all converge. An essential stop for understanding the soul of Gran Canaria's highlands.