La Mola Castle

In the outskirts of Novelda, there’s the La Mola peak (360m. above sea level) which, to be fair, isn’t especially high, but really stands out taking the flat Mediterranean coastline into account. It’s easy to get to in a car or by doing a 2hr. hike.

The castle is in the Almohad style of the 12th century but also has some Christian additions from after the Reconquista at the end of the 14th century. It’s a symbol of the city and was declared to be of National Cultural Interest in 1931.

If you see this castle, it’ll look familiar since it bears a great resemblance to Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia. Obviously, the dimensions are quite different, but this castle is adorable. It’s been renovated inside and is as fascinating inside as it is outside. It’s one of the few castles in the area that has an interior worth visiting. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorites.