Museo Castillo de Mata

The Castillo de Mata in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a historic fortress originally built in 1577 by Juan Alonso Rubián as a round tower at the end of the city's fortifications. After suffering heavy damage in an attack by the Dutch fleet in 1599, the complex was rebuilt under Francisco de la Rúa and received its current name. The fortress was meant to protect the city wall and was equipped with several cannons that made access difficult for attackers. Over the centuries, the structure was renovated and expanded several times; in 1780, in particular, the parapets, staircases, and powder magazines were modernized.

Until the second half of the twentieth century, the building housed various military units, including artillery and later the Tercio Don Juan de Austria of the Spanish Legion. Since 1949, the complex has been protected as a historic and artistic monument. In 2002, archaeological excavations led to the discovery of the original foundations, which formed the basis for extensive restoration work. These efforts culminated in the opening of the Museo Castillo de Mata on March 18, 2015.

The museum, whose concept was developed by art historian Ángeles Alemán, is devoted to two central themes: the history and archaeology of the fortress, and the history of the city and its connection to the sea. You can take a chronological tour that runs from the founding of the city to the present day. In addition, the area in front of the Castillo de Mata, near the Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pino, is traditionally where the official welcome ceremony for the pilgrimage of the Virgen del Pino takes place.