Fátima

​The religious phenomenon of Fátima dates back to 1917, the year in which the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children – Lúcia de Jesus, Francisco Marto, and Jacinta Marto – in the Cova da Iria area.

These apparitions, preceded by the apparitions of the Angel of Portugal in 1916, profoundly marked the history of the Catholic Church and the region itself, transforming Fátima into an "Altar of the World." The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima.

The Sanctuary complex is the focal point of the visit, a vast open space to accommodate the multitude of faithful, including:

The Chapel of the Apparitions: Considered the "heart" of the Sanctuary, it was built on the exact spot where Our Lady is said to have appeared. It is a place of great devotion, where the image of Our Lady of Fátima stands on the pedestal that marks the site of the small holm oak tree upon which the Virgin appeared.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima: Imposing for its whiteness and bell tower, it was built on the eastern edge of the Prayer Area. Inside are the tombs of the three visionaries – Saint Jacinta Marto, Saint Francisco Marto, and the Servant of God Lúcia de Jesus.

The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity: Inaugurated in 2007, it is a modern temple with a capacity for nearly 9,000 people, making it one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. It stands out for its contemporary architecture and ecumenical significance. The complex includes the Galilee of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul and several adjacent chapels (such as the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the Chapels of Reconciliation).

The Prayer Area: The vast open-air space, punctuated by the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where major celebrations are held.
This is where pilgrims participate in Mass and, on special dates, the emblematic Candlelight Procession, one of the most memorable moments of devotion in Fátima (especially on the nights of May 12th to 13th and October 12th to 13th).

The Great Holm Oak: A centuries-old holm oak that has remained next to the Chapel of the Apparitions, symbolizing the tree under which the little shepherds, and the first pilgrims, awaited the apparitions.

The Berlin Wall Monument: A piece of the Berlin Wall placed there to symbolize Our Lady of Fátima's role in the collapse of communism, as prophesied in the Virgin's messages.

The Historical and Spiritual Surroundings

The experience of Fátima extends beyond the Sanctuary, encompassing the places where the visionaries lived and where other crucial moments of the apparitions occurred:

Aljustrel – House of the Little Shepherds: The small village where the three visionaries were born and lived. The homes of Francisco and Jacinta Marto and Lúcia de Jesus (turned into House Museums) can be visited, providing an authentic glimpse into rural life at the time.

Loca do Cabeço: The site where the shepherd children received the apparitions of the Angel of Peace in 1916, preparing them for their encounters with Our Lady.

Valinhos: The site of the fourth apparition of Our Lady (on August 19, 1917) and the final point of the Stations of the Cross on the Shepherd Children's Path.

Stations of the Cross and Hungarian Calvary: A route of reflection and pilgrimage that retraces the path taken by the shepherd children, ending at the Chapel of Saint Stephen (Hungarian Calvary), donated by Hungarian Catholics.

Fátima Parish Church: The church where Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta were baptized and where Francisco spent long hours in prayer.

Fátima Paths

For pilgrims wishing to experience the journey of faith and sacrifice of the first believers, there is a network of religious and cultural itineraries called the Fátima Paths (such as the Tagus Path, the Nazareth Path, or the Northern Path).
These walking routes avoid main roads, favoring dirt roads and rural roads, promoting a profound spiritual experience and contact with nature and heritage.

Cultural Tourism and Surrounding Area

Visits to Fátima are often combined with other sites of great historical and religious interest in the region, taking advantage of its central location:
Batalha Monastery: A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Convent of Christ (Tomar): A landmark of the Knights Templar in Portugal and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Alcobaça Monastery: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the tombs of King Pedro I and Queen Inês de Castro.

Medieval Town of Ourém: With its imposing castle and Collegiate Church.

Nazaré: A fishing village known for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré and its giant waves.

In short, Fátima offers a deeply religious tourist experience, where the history of the apparitions intertwines with the grandeur of the temples, the simplicity of the original places of worship, and the intensity of the faith of the millions of pilgrims who visit annually.

It is a destination for retreat, prayer, and spiritual renewal.