Iglesia de San Matías, Renaissance church in Realejo district, Granada, Spain
Iglesia de San Matías is a Renaissance church located in the Realejo district of Granada with a single nave and polygonal choir. The interior features pointed arch vaults decorated with plaster work, all covered by a pitched roof.
The church was built on the site of a former mosque called Jima Abraen and gained chapel status in 1526 after Emperor Charles I visited Granada. This visit represented a turning point in the religious transformation of the location following the city's conquest.
The church takes its name from one of the twelve apostles and serves as an important landmark for the Realejo neighborhood. Locals view it as a place where religious tradition and local identity have been intertwined for centuries.
The church is located on Calle San Matías in the heart of the traditional Realejo neighborhood, easily reached on foot. The surrounding area has many small shops and tapas bars, making it convenient to include a visit as part of a longer walk through the district.
The exterior displays three doorways, with the main entrance decorated with Renaissance medallions and carved relief heads crafted by Sebastián de Alcántara. This ornate facade treatment distinguishes the building from many other religious structures in the city.
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