Castillo de Mata: A Historic Fortress in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Visitor Information
Google Rating: 4.2
Popularity: Low
Official Website: www.facebook.com
Country: Spain
Civilization: Early Modern
Site type: Military
Remains: Fort
History
The Castillo de Mata is a historic fortress located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. It was originally constructed in 1577 by Juan Alonso Rubián, an engineer who designed the castle as a round tower positioned at the terminus of the city’s defensive wall. This initial fortification served as part of the city’s effort to protect itself from naval attacks.
In 1599, the castle sustained damage during an assault by a Dutch fleet under the command of Pieter van der Does. Following the Dutch defeat in the region, Francisco de la Rúa oversaw the reconstruction of the fortress, which was subsequently renamed Castillo de Casa Mata. The new designation highlighted its transformation into a casemate-style fortification—a structure featuring fortified gun emplacements within the curtain wall—tasked with guarding the city from enemy approaches.
By the late 18th century, the fortress remained an important military asset. Up to 1780, its facilities were modest, including a simple guardhouse made from stone and mud, powder storage beneath wooden coverings, and a rudimentary niche under the embankment. That year brought significant renovations improving defensive capabilities. The parapets, which are protective walls along the top edge of the fortification, were rebuilt to include loopholes—narrow vertical openings allowing infantry soldiers to fire while remaining protected. Additional stairways improved communication between different levels, and powder magazines as well as soldier quarters were modernized. The parapets were raised to enable enfilade fire, a tactical positioning allowing defenders to fire along the length of an attacking force.
Throughout its history, the Castillo de Mata remained militarily active, with Spanish artillery troops occupying the site until 1976. Afterward, it was handed over to the Spanish Legion, which used the fortress as a support base until 1997. The castle also holds religious significance as the traditional location for the official reception of the Virgin of the Pine, a revered figure whose visits from her basilica in Teror to Las Palmas are ceremonially welcomed at the site.
Recognizing its cultural and historical value, the fortress was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument on April 22, 1949. This status afforded it legal protection under Spanish heritage laws, including those established in 1985. Archaeological investigations conducted in 2002 uncovered remnants of the original defensive structure known as the cubelo, a small rounded bastion or tower, which were then restored. These efforts culminated in the opening of a museum in 2015 that centers on the castle’s history and its relationship with the maritime development of Las Palmas.
Remains
The Castillo de Mata presents a defensive layout adapted to its position along the city’s walls, originally built as a round tower that was later transformed into a casemate-style fortification. This design allowed for both artillery pieces and infantry defense, integrating the fortress into the broader defensive system of Las Palmas.
Archaeological excavations revealed the original cubelo, a small rounded defensive structure characteristic of the early fortress. This feature was carefully restored as part of the museum project, making visible an integral component of the castle’s initial design.
The fortress was historically equipped with nine cannons and provisioned to hold two to three artillery pieces at any given time. Defensive elements include parapets rebuilt in the 18th century, which feature embrasures known as loopholes—slits deliberately shaped to enable soldiers to fire rifles or muskets while minimizing exposure to enemy fire. These parapets were raised higher during the 1780 modifications to allow enfilade fire, meaning defenders could shoot along the length of the approach to the wall, increasing their effectiveness.
The castle also contains several functional spaces dating to the late 18th century renovation period. These include communication stairs connecting different levels of the fortification, powder magazines designed for secure storage of gunpowder, and guard quarters constructed from stone and mud. The fortress’s location near the Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pino reflects its connection to the religious traditions of the city, particularly the ceremonial welcome of the Virgin of the Pine.
Today, the fortress’s preservation allows it to serve as both a museum and a reminder of its long military role, with structures largely maintained in situ or restored following archaeological study. The combination of original features and later adaptations illustrates the castle’s evolving defensive function and its importance over several centuries as part of Las Palmas’s arms and maritime heritage.
