Ermita de la Mare de Déu de la Saleta

The Ermita de la Mare de Déu de la Saleta is a small rectangular-plan chapel built in 1887 in the heart of Aldaia, where the streets Ventall, Verge del Remei and Hernán Cortés meet. It is dedicated to Our Lady of La Salette, a devotion that recalls the apparition which, according to tradition, two shepherds witnessed in the French Alps in 1846. It is one of those neighbourhood chapels that passing visitors easily overlook, yet which gather the devotion and popular memory of the place.

History

Built in the late 19th century, the chapel follows the simple, functional model of the small popular Valencian churches of its time. Its heritage value is officially recognised, as it is listed as an Asset of Local Relevance (Bien de Relevancia Local), a designation that protects its character and its link to the town's identity.

What to see

The façade is notably plain, crowned by a rounded (semicircular) tympanum. Its most striking feature is the ceramic altarpiece from 1960 depicting the apparition of the Virgin, a piece of devotional tilework very characteristic of the Valencian tradition.

Tips for your visit

• The chapel comes fully to life during the "Baixà", held on the eve of the main town festivities, of which it is the starting point.
• Combine your visit with a stroll through old Aldaia and other nearby spots.
• Respect the building's role as a place of worship and its opening hours, which are usually tied to local celebrations.