La Mola castle stands on a small hill at 360 metres above sea level and 3 kilometres from the town of Novelda. The fortress was built by Spain’s Islamic occupiers in the late 12th century. The castle has a polygonal layout with eight square turrets jutting out from the outer wall, although only four still survive today, two of which are clad. The castle has a 9 by 11 metre free-standing square tower inside, although one of the floors is missing. The hall on the ground floor is lit by a loophole. The castle was built using mortar over masonry. In the late 14th century, under Christian rule, it underwent structural changes that included the addition of a triangular tower measuring 15 metres wide and 17 metres high, the only one of its kind on the Iberian peninsula. The tower is accessed by a semi-circular stone gateway facing northwest and set high in the wall. It has two floors and is lit inside by several loopholes. The castle was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1931.
