From Santa Brígida we go towards the Vega de San Mateo passing through the area of El Madroñal. San Mateo is situated 22 kilometres from the capital and only 8 kilometres from Santa Brígida and nearly half its land surface belongs to the Espacio Protegido de las Cumbres (the Protected Mountain Peak Area).
A walk around the old quarter of the Vega de San Mateo is unthinkable without visiting the Parish Church, located in the Calle Principal (High Street); a two nave building, whose central upper part is crowned by a bell tower, projected by José Luján Pérez, a great Canarian religious artist. The bell of the temple, put in place four years after its construction, was sent from Cuba by Canarian immigrants in that locality.
The Alameda or Public Walk of Santa Ana, situated next to the church, forms together with the Town Hall, a very refined neo-Canarian style group of constructions.
The San Mateo agricultural and crafts Market, within the village, is one of the most popular places in the municipality, which nowadays has become the main economic engine of the locality. Public opening hours: Saturdays from 08:00 to 20:00 hours and Sundays from 08:00 to 15:00 hours.
A visit to the Vega de San Mateo also discovers unique panoramic views of the middle of the island and the Cumbres (the Mountain Peaks). Once in the Cumbre of Gran Canaria you can see Los Pozos de Nieves (The Snow Wells), where in the past the snow was stored and later transported to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where it was consumed in the form of ice lollies. As well as visiting one of the renovated wells, one enjoys the magnificent scenery of the protected natural space of the Cumbres.
The municipality also has recreational areas which stand out for their landscapes, such as that by Ana López, equipped with the necessary infrastructures to favour the use and enjoyment of nature.
For greater tourist information on the municipality, a visit to the Tourit Office located in the village, is recommen
