Novelda’s landmark, the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena will remain closed and cordoned off indefinitely after cracks were discovered in its left-hand tower.
The council confirmed the decision in a press release. They explained that the closure will stay in place until the affected tower has been dismantled and secured.
An expert report has concluded that the cracks are far more serious than first thought. Initial damage was detected during a drone inspection. As a result, further analysis showed that the defects compromise the stability of the tower. Furthermore, they pose a serious risk to what is considered Novelda’s most emblematic building.
The sanctuary has been closed to the public since early December. This followed the discovery of significant cracks during a drone inspection. The flight formed part of a study into the monumental marble organ inside the church. The organ’s structure alone weighs around 35 tonnes. Subsequent emergency inspections uncovered major structural problems. These affect both Novelda’s main tourist attraction and the church of its patron saint.
Emergency works on Novelda’s landmark building
The Department of Historical Heritage, led by Geno Micó, has already begun the administrative procedures required to carry out the emergency works recommended by the architects responsible for the report. These works are considered essential given the extremely serious condition of the sanctuary’s east tower. According to the findings, the damage originates in cracks located in the pinnacle, specifically at the point where the orb supporting the cross meets the four pillars beneath it.
The report explains that displacement has occurred between these pillars, creating a considerable crack that continues to worsen due to the weight of more than 920 kilograms borne by the structure. Furthermore, this situation compromises the stability of both the orb and the cross. The risk is heightened by the fact that Novelda lies in a seismic zone, where minor earthquakes could further weaken the structure and potentially cause the pinnacle to collapse, endangering the surrounding area as well as the sanctuary’s roof and interior.
Experts describe the condition of the tower as extremely serious, presenting a high risk to public safety and to the integrity of the building itself. As a result, they recommend that the area remain closed and fenced off until emergency measures are carried out. These include the installation of perimeter scaffolding, the dismantling of the pinnacle, and its later reconstruction, with the orb and cross repositioned at the tower’s centre of gravity.
Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena
The Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena is a striking Modernist building inspired by the work of Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1918 and was completed in 1946 after a lengthy interruption. The project designed by Novelda engineer José Sala Sala incorporates pebbles from the Vinalopó River. Polychrome tiles, reddish brick, distinctive roof tiles, and masonry to create one of the most unique landmarks in the region.
