Novelda: La Mola and two houses that tell its Art Nouveau story

It helps to divide Novelda into two visiting areas: La Mola hill, about three kilometres from the town, and the Art Nouveau houses in the centre. The sanctuary is not in the town-hall square, and its appearance does not make it a building by Gaudí.

La Mola: a modern sanctuary beside a medieval castle

Santa María Magdalena was designed by local engineer José Sala Sala and built between 1918 and 1946. Its exterior combines Vinalopó river pebbles, brick and ceramics. These materials give you something specific to look for beyond a broad description of «Gaudí-like architecture».

The neighbouring castle has Islamic origins in the late twelfth century. Its triangular tower belongs to the Christian period, making two phases of the fortress visually distinguishable. Sharing a hill does not make it contemporary with the sanctuary.

For interior visits, note that the council has published a restoration project addressing cracks in a sanctuary pinnacle. The documentary research for this guide does not confirm that restrictions have been lifted. Check access with Novelda Tourism before going up, and respect any construction barriers.

Two houses, two institutions

The Casa Museo Modernista belongs to Fundación Mediterráneo, which publishes its own visiting arrangements. Gómez-Tortosa is also in the centre: the council has announced its reopening as a Modernist Museum, with restored domestic rooms including the dining room, kitchen and library. These are separate buildings despite their similar museum names.

If domestic interiors interest you, prioritise the houses and check each institution separately. If you prefer exterior architecture, comparing the sanctuary’s materials with the castle’s forms offers another approach, subject to restrictions at La Mola. We do not present both areas as a single short walk.