History of Sant Mateu

Origins

Roman finds on Calle Santo Domingo in 1925 point to a small settlement linked to the Via Augusta. The first written mention is from 1195, in a donation by Alfonso II of Aragon to the Chapter of Tortosa.

Conquest and founding charters

James I conquered the town and gave it to the Hospitallers. In 1237 Hugo de Folcalquier granted the first founding charter, and on 24 September 1274 Brother Berenguer de Almenara gave the second.

Capital of the Maestrazgo

In 1317, with the foundation of Montesa under James II, Sant Mateu became the seat of its masters and capital of the Maestrazgo. General Cortes of the Kingdom of Valencia met here in 1369-1370, 1421 and 1429. In May 1411 the Papa Luna arrived and stayed several months, and on 15 August 1429 the antipope Clement VIII resigned the papacy in the archpriest church.

Early modern period

On 16 June 1521 the Germanías rebels murdered Bernardo Zaera, and a week later the town was retaken. In 1587 the office of master passed to the Crown under Philip II. In 1649 a Franco-Catalan siege failed during the Reapers' War. In the War of the Spanish Succession the town gave itself to the Austracist side in December 1705 and, after Almansa, the Bourbons took it in 1707 and withdrew its privileges.

19th and 20th centuries

The French occupied the town from September 1810 to July 1813. During the Carlist wars Charles V visited it on 3 July 1837. Under the Second Republic an extension plan was drawn up that was never carried out.

Heritage

Highlights include the archpriest church, Valencian Gothic with a 13th-century Romanesque doorway, the walls, the Borrull palace (home to the Municipal Museum) and the Dominican bell tower, from about 1737.

Timeline

1195

First written mention.

1237

First founding charter.

24 September 1274

Second founding charter.

1317

Seat of the masters of Montesa.

15 August 1429

Clement VIII resigns the papacy in the archpriest church.

1707

Bourbons take the town after Almansa.

2002

Historic centre declared Site of Cultural Interest.