{"id":806,"date":"2026-09-03T08:36:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T08:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/san-mateo-cuenca\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T08:36:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T08:36:11","slug":"san-mateo-cuenca","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/en\/san-mateo-cuenca\/","title":{"rendered":"San Mateo Cuenca 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.page-id-806 .entry-title, .page-id-806 .page-header { display:none !important; }\n.sm-wrap { max-width: 1080px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 18px 60px; font-family: inherit; color: #21405E; }\n.sm-hero { background: linear-gradient(135deg,#21405E 0%,#2d5680 100%); color:#fff; border-radius:18px; padding:46px 30px; text-align:center; margin-bottom:34px; }\n.sm-hero .k { font-size:15px; letter-spacing:3px; text-transform:uppercase; opacity:.85; }\n.sm-hero h1 { font-size:44px; line-height:1.12; margin:10px 0 14px; color:#fff; text-align:center; }\n.sm-hero p { font-size:18px; opacity:.92; max-width:640px; margin:0 auto; line-height:1.6; }\n.sm-dias { display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; margin:26px 0 0; }\n.sm-dia { background:rgba(255,255,255,.13); border-radius:12px; padding:14px 22px; margin:6px; min-width:120px; }\n.sm-dia .n { font-size:30px; font-weight:800; line-height:1; }\n.sm-dia .d { font-size:13px; opacity:.85; margin-top:4px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.sm-cd { margin-top:24px; font-size:15px; }\n.sm-cd b { font-size:26px; color:#F2C879; }\n.sm-wrap h2 { font-size:27px; margin:38px 0 14px; }\n.sm-wrap p { font-size:17px; line-height:1.7; }\n.sm-card { background:#F7F4EF; border-radius:14px; padding:24px 26px; margin:18px 0; }\n.sm-card h3 { margin:0 0 8px; font-size:19px; }\n.sm-grid { display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; margin:0 -9px; }\n.sm-col { flex:1 1 300px; margin:9px; background:#fff; border:1px solid #E4E0D8; border-radius:14px; padding:22px; }\n.sm-col .ic { font-size:26px; margin-bottom:8px; }\n.sm-col h3 { margin:0 0 6px; font-size:18px; }\n.sm-col p { font-size:15px; margin:0; color:#4a5568; }\n.sm-cta { background:#21405E; color:#fff; border-radius:18px; padding:38px 28px; text-align:center; margin:38px 0 0; }\n.sm-cta h2 { color:#fff; margin:0 0 10px; }\n.sm-cta p { opacity:.9; max-width:560px; margin:0 auto 22px; }\n.sm-btn { display:inline-block; background:#C99A4E; color:#fff !important; text-decoration:none; padding:16px 38px; border-radius:11px; font-size:18px; font-weight:700; }\n.sm-hero .lead { font-size:19px; opacity:.95; max-width:660px; margin:14px auto 0; line-height:1.6; }\n.sm-hero-foto { margin:0 0 30px; text-align:center; }\n.sm-hero-foto img { width:100%; max-width:560px; margin:0 auto; height:auto; border-radius:16px; box-shadow:0 10px 34px rgba(0,0,0,.16); display:block; }\n.sm-hero-foto figcaption { font-size:14px; color:#6B6F6C; margin-top:10px; font-style:italic; }\n.sm-foto { margin:22px 0; text-align:center; }\n.sm-foto img { max-width:340px; width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:14px; box-shadow:0 8px 28px rgba(0,0,0,.14); }\n.sm-foto figcaption { font-size:14px; color:#6B6F6C; margin-top:10px; }\n.sm-nota { font-size:14px; color:#6B6F6C; border-left:3px solid #C99A4E; padding-left:14px; margin:22px 0; line-height:1.6; }\n.sm-faq { margin-top:10px; }\n.sm-faq details { border-bottom:1px solid #E4E0D8; padding:14px 0; }\n.sm-faq summary { cursor:pointer; font-weight:600; font-size:17px; }\n.sm-faq .a { margin-top:9px; font-size:16px; line-height:1.65; color:#4a5568; }\n@media (max-width:640px){ .sm-hero h1 { font-size:29px; } .sm-hero { padding:32px 18px; } }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"sm-wrap\">\n\n  <div class=\"sm-hero\">\n    <div class=\"k\">Cuenca heifers<\/div>\n    <h1>San Mateo Cuenca 2026<\/h1>\n    <p class=\"lead\">Four days of heifers being run through the streets of the historic center. The biggest festival of the year in Cuenca, and Monday is a local holiday.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"sm-dias\">\n      <div class=\"sm-dia\"><div class=\"n\">18<\/div><div class=\"d\">Friday<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sm-dia\"><div class=\"n\">19<\/div><div class=\"d\">Saturday<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sm-dia\"><div class=\"n\">20<\/div><div class=\"d\">Sunday<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"sm-dia\"><div class=\"n\">21<\/div><div class=\"d\">Monday \u00b7 Big day<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sm-cd\" id=\"sm-cd\"><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n    <figure class=\"sm-hero-foto\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/san-mateo-cuenca-819x1024.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Gent\u00edo en el casco antiguo de Cuenca durante las fiestas de San Mateo\"\n         loading=\"lazy\">\n    <figcaption>The Plaza Mayor during San Mateo. This is what the old town looks like for four days.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n  <h2>What is being celebrated?<\/h2>\n  <p>Saint Matthew commemorates the <strong>Conquest of Cuenca by Alfonso VIII in 1177<\/strong>. It is one of the city&#039;s biggest festivals, and its most recognizable event is the <strong>roped heifers<\/strong>: cattle held by a long rope that run through the streets of the historic center for four days, with enormous popular participation.<\/p>\n\n  <p>Look at the photo: this is how it&#039;s done <strong>Plaza Mayor<\/strong>, In front of the Cathedral, the groups of revelers descend in their colorful t-shirts, and the old town transforms into a single sea of people. It&#039;s a street festival\u2014experienced standing, walking, and for many hours.<\/p>\n\n  <p>He <strong>Monday the 21st is a local holiday<\/strong> in Cuenca, so San Mateo functions as a <strong>four-day bridge<\/strong>Many people take advantage of the opportunity to come from Madrid or Valencia and spend the long weekend here.<\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"sm-nota\">\n    The detailed program with daily schedules is published by the Cuenca City Council in the weeks leading up to the event. Check it at the Tourist Office (969 241 051) to avoid using information from the previous year.\n  <\/div>\n\n  <h2>If you come from abroad, this is what will happen to you<\/h2>\n\n  <div class=\"sm-grid\">\n    <div class=\"sm-col\">\n      <div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udf92<\/div>\n      <h3>You arrive with a backpack<\/h3>\n      <p>Most of them come for the day from Madrid, Valencia, or Albacete. And an eight-hour street party with a backpack feels very long.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sm-col\">\n      <div class=\"ic\">\ud83d\ude97<\/div>\n      <h3>The old town is closed<\/h3>\n      <p>During the running of the heifers, the old town is closed off. Getting back to the car in the mid-afternoon to drop something off isn&#039;t always quick.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"sm-col\">\n      <div class=\"ic\">\ud83c\udf21\ufe0f<\/div>\n      <h3>There&#039;s too much clothing<\/h3>\n      <p>In September, Cuenca wakes up cool, but by midday it&#039;s sweltering. You end up carrying the jacket you needed in the morning.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <h2>Put your things down and enjoy the party<\/h2>\n\n  <figure class=\"sm-foto\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/entrada-locker-cuenca-tintes-1024x768.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Fachada de Locker Cuenca en la calle Tintes 11, en el casco antiguo de Cuenca\"\n         loading=\"lazy\">\n    <figcaption>This is the entrance, at 11 Tintes Street. Look for it during San Mateo.<\/figcaption>\n  <\/figure>\n\n  <p>We're at <strong>Tintes Street 11<\/strong>, Within the historic center, just a few minutes from where the San Mateo festival takes place. You leave your backpack, suitcase, or coat, and take a <strong>PIN code on mobile<\/strong> and you can come and go as many times as you want.<\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"sm-card\">\n    <h3>How it works<\/h3>\n    <p>Book online in a minute and choose the size (medium, large, or extra-large) and the hours you need. You receive the PIN, open your locker, and you&#039;re all set. No queues, no waiting for anyone, and no depending on a hotel&#039;s opening hours. We&#039;re open <strong>from 7:00 to 23:00<\/strong>, so you can collect after the heifers.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"sm-cta\">\n    <h2>San Mateo is four days. Don&#039;t spend them carrying a load.<\/h2>\n    <p>Tickets from \u20ac2.50 in the heart of the historic center. Book yours before they fill up: it&#039;s the busiest long weekend of the year.<\/p>\n    <a class=\"sm-btn\" href=\"\/en\/\">Book my ticket<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n  <div class=\"sm-faq\">\n    <details><summary>When exactly are the San Mateo festivities in 2026?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">From Friday, September 18 to Monday, September 21, 2026. The main day is Monday the 21st, which is also a local holiday in Cuenca.<\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>What are &quot;vaquillas enmaromadas&quot;?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Cattle tethered by long ropes are paraded through the streets of the historic center during the four days of the festival. It is the most characteristic event of San Mateo and the one that draws the largest crowds.<\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>Where do I leave my backpack if I&#039;m only here for the day?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">At our ticket offices at Calle Tintes 11, right in the historic center. Open from 7:00 to 23:00 and with PIN access, so you can come and go as you please without depending on anyone.<\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>Do I need to book in advance?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">It&#039;s highly recommended during San Mateo. It&#039;s the busiest weekend of the year in Cuenca, and the large ticket booths are the first to sell out.<\/div><\/details>\n    <details><summary>Can I pick up my things at night?<\/summary><div class=\"a\">Until 11:00 PM. If your train or bus leaves later, please contact us via WhatsApp before booking and we&#039;ll look into it.<\/div><\/details>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n(function(){\n  var el = document.getElementById('sm-cd');\n  if (!el) return;\n  var inicio = new Date(2026, 8, 18, 0, 0, 0); \/\/ 18 de septiembre de 2026\n  function pinta(){\n    var dias = Math.ceil((inicio - new Date()) \/ 86400000);\n    if (dias > 1)      el.innerHTML = 'Faltan <b>' + dias + '<\/b> d\u00edas';\n    else if (dias === 1) el.innerHTML = '<b>Ma\u00f1ana empieza San Mateo<\/b>';\n    else if (dias > -3)  el.innerHTML = '<b>San Mateo ya est\u00e1 aqu\u00ed<\/b>';\n    else el.style.display = 'none';\n  }\n  pinta();\n  setInterval(pinta, 3600000);\n})();\n<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-806","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=806"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/806\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lockercuenca.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}