The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in La Maddalena is the island’s main place of worship, situated in the square of the same name, just a short walk from Cala Gavetta. Built between the late 18th century and the early decades of the 19th century, it is dedicated to the town’s patron saint and stands as one of the archipelago’s most important religious and historical landmarks.

The construction of the church was necessitated by the gradual migration of the population towards the port of Cala Gavetta. The new building, larger than its predecessor, was built with the support of the islanders and the Savoy garrison, taking on a central role in the religious life of the community. Over time, it has undergone several extensions and restorations, eventually taking on its current appearance, which retains elements of late Piedmontese Baroque.

On the exterior, the portal stands out, surmounted by a curved tympanum, featuring a commemorative plaque marking the year of construction (1814) and the benefactor, Baron Giorgio Andrea Des Geneys, a key figure in the history of the Savoyard navy.

The interior consists of a single nave, flanked by numerous side chapels and ending in a chancel with a semicircular apse. Above the choir stands a niche containing a wooden statue of Saint Mary Magdalene, which originated in Liguria and dates from the late 18th century. Among the most important works are the high altar in polychrome marble in the late Baroque style, the marble pulpit and several paintings attributed to the Sassari-born painter Antonio Cano.

Of particular historical significance are also the gifts from Admiral Horatio Nelson, including a crucifix and silver candlesticks, bearing witness to the link between La Maddalena and European naval history.

Adjacent to the church is the Diocesan Museum, which houses the so-called ‘Treasure of Santa Maria Maddalena’, a collection of votive offerings, sacred furnishings and objects of great historical and artistic value.

Even today, the church remains the heart of the town’s devotion, with the patron saint’s feast day celebrated on 22 July, drawing worshippers and visitors alike to one of the most heartfelt moments in local tradition.