Restoration begins on Novelda’s landmark Santa Maria Magdalena sanctuary

Restoration work has begun on one of the Costa Blanca’s most distinctive landmarks, almost a year after serious cracks forced it to close. Scaffolding now surrounds the eastern tower of the Santuario de Santa Maria Magdalena in Novelda as engineers and restoration crews begin work to stabilise the historic building and repair damaged features.

Scaffolding surrounds damaged eastern tower

The sanctuary has been closed to visitors since December 2025 after an inspection discovered significant cracks in its 25-metre eastern tower, raising concerns over its stability.

Crews will install additional support inside the building before temporarily removing the stone cross and orb at the top of the tower, together with damaged masonry.

The historic pieces will be repaired before being returned to their original positions as part of the restoration.

Engineers investigate ground beneath sanctuary

Engineers are also investigating beneath the sanctuary to identify where polymer resin should be injected into the ground to help stabilise the structure.

This work forms an important part of the effort to secure the building before restoration can move on to other areas.

Once the tower is secure, attention can turn to other parts of the sanctuary, including roofs and decorative features affected by damp, as well as the choir.

Novelda landmark dates back to 1918

Construction of the sanctuary began in 1918 and continued until 1946.

Designed by Novelda engineer Jose Sala Sala, its twin towers, colourful tiles and unusual Modernist architecture have made it one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks.

Its distinctive appearance has helped make the Santuario de Santa Maria Magdalena an instantly recognisable part of Novelda, making the progress of the restoration of particular interest locally.

No reopening date confirmed yet

There is currently no confirmed date for the sanctuary to reopen, with progress depending partly on what engineers discover as the restoration continues.

For now, the arrival of scaffolding and the start of structural work mark an important step towards securing the landmark and eventually allowing visitors back inside.