The Sanctuary of Fátima, located in Portugal, is one of the most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites worldwide. It was built to commemorate the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children—Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto—in 1917. Every year, millions of faithful visit the sanctuary, particularly on May 13 and October 13, marking the first and last apparition. Over the years, it has become a vital center for spirituality, prayer, and reflection, drawing pilgrims from around the globe.
Several places of worship and prayer make up the sanctuary. The Chapel of the Apparitions is the most important site, built on the exact spot where the children claimed to have seen the Virgin. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary houses the tombs of the three visionaries and features stunning neo-Baroque architecture. The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, inaugurated in 2007, is one of the largest churches in the world, with a seating capacity of over 8,000 people. Visitors can also explore the Prayer Area, the Colonnade, the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Way of the Cross, and the Sanctuary Museum, which preserves significant relics and liturgical artifacts.
- Address
Cova da Iria, Fátima, Portugal - Web
https://www.fatima.pt/en - Visiting Hours
Always open - What to see
Chapel of the Apparitions
