La Mola Castle

La Mola Castle, locally known as Castillo de la Mola, lies on a high hill north of the town of Novelda, in the province of Alicante in Spain.

La Mola Castle was built in the 12th century under Almohad rule on the site of an old Roman fortification and would have been part of the Kingdom of Murcia. It had intervisibility with Del Río Castle to the south. In the middle 13th century it was conquered by the troops of Alfonso X of Castile. In 1296 it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Valencia. James II of Aragon then ceded it to his wife Blanche of Anjou. During the 14th century the castle was reformed and strengthened. In later times it was owned by numerous others, the majority of them connected to royals.

It is a polygonal enclosure with thick walls. Inside is a square tower built out of rammed earth without windows which probably served as a keep. At the end of the courtyard stands a peculiar triangular tower of later date; it was built in the first half of the 14th century. It is supposedly unique in Europe. This tower is said to be one of the first examples of a civic-military building in Catalan style in Valencian territory. It is obviously known as 'Torre de las Tres Esquinas' (Tower of the Three Corners).

At present La Mola Castle can freely be visited during daytime. A nice castle with a very nice triangular tower. Next to the castle is another peculiar building; the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena, built in 1918 by a follower of Gaudí. All together, a nice site to visit.

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