Novelda
Novelda is a Spanish city, close to the Costa Blanca in the Autonomous Region of Valencia and of the province of Alicante. Novelda is known for its marble production and its Art Nouveau building.
Geography
The municipality extends to the foot of the hill Cerro de la Mola. Novelda located in Vinalopó valley between the mountain ranges of präbetischen system, Sierra de las Pedrizas, Sierra del Cid and Sierra de la Horna. The river Vinalopó crosses the local area. The provincial capital, Alicante is 24 kilometers away. The prevailing Mediterranean - arid climate.
History
Archaeological finds indicate a settlement of this Vinalopó Valley to Novelda in the Chalcolithic period.
Novelda was conquered during the Reconquista 1243-1252 by the Castilian kings, and part of the Kingdom of Murcia. 1252 Novelda was the city of Alicante affiliated. In 1296 it fell to the Kingdom of Valencia.
The lords of Novelda had to call themselves 1448 Barons of Novelda. Various noble families took turns in the rule. In the 15th or 16th century the castle was abandoned, but the place continued to evolve. 1510 still 230 families counted, so the population was 1595 already 2,115 people, most of them Moriscos. Their expulsion by the Spanish King Philip III. meant in 1609 for the city of bloodletting from which she only recovered in 1800.
In the War of Spanish Succession Novelda stood on the side of Archduke Charles. 1901 Novelda was appointed to the city.
Economy
Novelda is one of the world's biggest production centers for marble and natural stone.
The main agricultural products are grapes that ripen in special paper bags on the vine. This delays the maturation of the grapes and the skin becomes thinner. Grapes from Novelda and the Vinalopó Valley are eaten throughout Spain traditional New Year's Eve.
In addition, processed spices and teas in Novelda saffron.
Culture and sights
Structures
Castillo de la Mola
The fort was built by the Moors in the 12th century on the ruins of a Roman fortress. A special feature is the Torre de los Tres Picos, a triangular tower, which was built in the 14th century. At this time the castle was already under Christian rule. The tower has two floors and can be climbed.
Santuario de Santa María Magdalena
Work on this church, dedicated to Mary Magdalene, lasted from 1918 to 1945. Novelda For the construction marble were used as well, such as tiles, bricks and rubble from the river Vinalopó. The architect José Sala Sala came from Novelda, but had in Catalonia the works of Antoni Gaudí studied. Significant model is the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
The two towers are each 25 meters high. On the outside wall of a tile image is mounted on the Mary Magdalene prays in front of a skull. Inside, large paintings can be seen with scenes from the lives of the saints.
Casa Modernista
Noveldas Art Nouveau museum is located in a mansion completely preserved in the old town, which was built in 1900. Even the furniture is received, a collection of Art Nouveau sculptures and postcards completes the exhibition. The building also houses a library for Nouveau with 5,000 volumes. In one part of the museum is reminiscent of the sailor Jorge Juan y Santacilia.
Events
The festival Moros y Cristianos is celebrated annually in July. The highlight of the celebrations is the day of the local patron saint Mary Magdalene on 22 July.
Personalities
- Jorge Juan y Santacilia (1713-1773), navigator and explorer