2-370-326 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

The Church of Saint Matthew (San Mateo), Caceres, Spain, 2007. Located in the Plaza de San Mateo, this church was built over the remains of a Moorish mosque in the late 16th/early 17th century in a Late Gothic style, except for the Sande Chapel, which is in the Renaissance style. The tower dates from the end of the 18th century. The doorway is in Plateresque style, dating from the mid-16th century and attributed to Guillen Ferrant. It consists of an ellipsoidal arch whose arch-stones are adorned with cherubim. On either side of the door there are medallions showing Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Two columns are flanking the doorway, ending in flambeaux. Above the door there is a decorated frieze with a medallion of Saint Matthew. Two other doorways, set in the left and right walls. are of simple design and have semi-circular arches. The walls of the church are built of granite ashlars. At the north-west corner there is a bell tower divided into three sections. The southwest angle of the tower is topped by a bell-cote or small wall-belfry on the corner. Inside the church are the tombs of the city's noble families.