The Catholic Church of Santa María in Novelda (about 25 minutes from the Hondóns) is a wonderful piece of “fantasy” architecture, based on the great Gaudi style of Barcelona. It’s well worth a visit. As it sits on a hill overlooking the town it also has great views and is wonderfully peaceful. It is classes as a national historic monument.
It is still used as a real church for worship and religious events and boasts an incredible marble (local stone) piped organ which sounds awesome!
Map Location / Coordinates : Google Map
Diocese: Orihuela-Alicante
Architecture: Built 1918 – 1946
Architect: José Sala Sala
Architectonic style Valencian Modernism (Gaudi)
The Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena is a religious building located in Novelda ( Alicante ), Valencian Community , Spain .
Its construction, began in 1918 and required three phases to terminate the work in 1946. It was built from a project designed by the Noveldense engineer José Sala Sala. The building bears a distant resemblance to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona by Antonio Gaudí . It is shaped like a jug, symbolizing the jug that the Holy brought from balm to Jesus . This original form is also unique in the world. Subsequently the construction was carried out by the masters of works Ceferí Escolano and Antoni Amorós. It is a very unique and outstanding work.
On the main facade, two 25 m side towers stand out. high culminated by a stone cross, which is also in the dome and on the upper arches of the facade. The decorative motifs have antecedents in medieval, baroque styles and in nature itself.
The interior of the sanctuary is composed of a rectangular central nave with two attached side spaces; at the bottom, in the apse , is the dressing room of Santa María Magdalena , patron of Novelda, and behind the altar you can admire a beautiful painting attributed to Gastón Castelló . In the late 1900’s it underwent the incorporation of an magnificent organ built entirely in local marble , the work of the innovative organizer and artist Iván Larrea, who will become the only one in the world of these characteristics.
The Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena de Novelda is the place that many couples choose to marry and baptize their children. It is a place with a lot of history for the Noveldenses since the election of grapes that will accompany Santa María Magdalena in the procession of July 22, patron day, is also celebrated here. It is also interesting to note that, for several years, the Dominican sisters lived in a building next to the Sanctuary. Three years ago they marched to another region of Spain. In the place where they lived a hostel and a theme centre are being set up.
Links for Novelda Resources
Facebook : Novelda Tourism
Town Hall Website
Property in Novelda
TripAdvisor Reviews
WikiPedia Entry
