The Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena: Novelda’s modernist jewel

When you’re planning a getaway into inland Alicante, Novelda is a city that surprises everyone who comes to visit. Once you’re there, make your way to a place that feels as though time has stood still.

Crowning a hill beside La Mola Castle, the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena rises as one of the most unusual and fascinating stops on the modernist route in the province of Alicante.

What is the story behind Santa María Magdalena and its sanctuary?

This church is far more than a place of worship; it feels almost like a visual poem. Designed by local engineer José Sala Sala, its architecture draws clear inspiration from Gaudí, and as you look more closely at the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena in Novelda, you’ll notice how beautifully it uses local materials, from pebbles taken from the River Vinalopó to tiles and stone that seem to flow into organic shapes. 

Construction began in 1918, and the result is one of the most spiritual expressions of modernism in the province of Alicante. 

Interesting facts: Novelda’s marble organ 

Inside this jewel of modernist Novelda, you’ll find a real surprise: one of the great curiosities of the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena in Novelda is its organ, which is unique in the world because it is built entirely from natural stone.

Made with materials from Novelda’s quarries, it produces an incredible sound that fills the whole space, and hearing its echo beneath the dome brings tradition and innovation together in a truly memorable way.

What else can you see in Novelda besides the Sanctuary? 

Although the Sanctuary is the main draw, your visit certainly doesn’t end there. As it stands right beside La Mola Castle, you can round off the day by exploring this fortress of Islamic origin.

The contrast between the castle’s sober lines and the flowing shapes of the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena perfectly sums up the historical richness of the Region of Valencia. You can also visit places such as the Casino de Novelda and the modernist Casa Museo, both of which add even more to your time in this unforgettable city.

Let yourself be drawn into the magic of this corner of El Vinalopó Medio and discover a monument where stone becomes living art. Come and visit Novelda!