Fatima, the Altar of the World One of the largest Marian centres in the world. This Marian centre of pilgrimage evokes the apparitions of Our Lady to the three little shepherds Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, which took place in 1917 and were recognized in 1930. The spot was a rural property called Cova da Iria, and it belonged to the parents of Lucia, who donated it to the Shrine. It was here that five of the six apparitions took place. The Shrine comprises the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, the Prayer Area and the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. They complement the Shrine, the Retreat Houses of Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Pastoral Centre of Paul VI. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima was built according to a project by Dutchman Gerardus van Krieken and continued by architect João Antunes. The first stone was blessed on May 13, 1928 and the church dedicated on October 7, 1953. The following year, it was granted the title of Basilica by Pope Pius XII. The architectural and decorative style is very simple. Inside, there are 14 lateral altars dedicated to the mysteries of the Rosary. The stained glass windows and the paintings that adorn the church are by João de Sousa Araújo; they date from 1967 and represent scenes alluding to the life of Our Lady, the Apparitions and the Message of Fatima. Those in the main chapel, representing the Evangelists, the Apparition of the Angel and scenes of Pilgrimage, were created by the Madrid company Maumejean and Sons. On the right side of the transept, the Gospel, is the tomb of Francisco, who died in 1919. On the left side, the Epistle, is the tomb of Jacinta, who died in 1920; next to her is the tomb of Sister Lucy, who died in 2005. Francisco and Jacinta Marto were canonised in the Shrine of Fatima, on May 13, 2017, on the International Anniversary Pilgrimage of the centennial of the Apparitions, presided over by Pope Francis. Also noteworthy is the Italian-made organ, dated 1952, which consists of 152 stops and about 12,000 pipes. It is one of the most important Marian shrines belonging to the Catholic Church in the world and one of the leading international religious tourism destinations, receiving around six million visitors a year. It was visited by Popes Paul VI (1967), John Paul II (1982, 1991 and 2000), Benedict XVI (2010) and Francis (2017). The annual pilgrimages are celebrated on the 13th of every month from May to October.
The small village of Aljustrel was the birthplace of the three shepherds. The house of the Francisco and Jacinta brothers can be visited, as well as the house of Lucia, converted into a museum that portrays the local way of life of the early 19th century. XX. From Aljustrel, you can walk the Valinhos Sacred Way. This was the path that Lucia, Jacinto, and Francisco took from Aljustrel to Cova da Iria. This sacred road has 14 stations in memory of the Passion of Jesus and there is also a 15th station that evokes the Resurrection, known as Hungarian Calvary or St. Stephen's Chapel. The chapel and the Stations of the Cross were the gift of Hungarian Catholics, refugees in the West, after the Soviet invasion of Hungary. The Via Sacra (inaugurated on August 11, 1962) and the Chapel (inaugurated on March 12, 1964) was designed by engineer Ladislau Marec. The 15th station opened on October 13, 1992. Before arriving at St. Stephen's Chapel, travelers can see the “Loca do Anjo” where the three shepherds received the “Angel of Peace” for the first and third time. (in spring and autumn 1916). This is a place of absolute seclusion, totally preserved, where olive and holm oaks define the spirit of the place. The Hungarian Calvary and the Valinhos Sacred Way are a must for all pilgrims who travel to Fatima, the altar of the world, in search of faith for answers to their daily problems. This is the perfect place for praying and for introspection.
This Basilica is the latest construction of the Fatima Sanctuary complex and is dedicated to the worship of the Holy Trinity. The intention of building a new temple there dates back to 1973, as it was found that the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima was no longer large enough to welcome all the pilgrims, particularly on Sundays and other days of medium affluence. In 1997, through Monsignor Luciano Guerra, the Shrine of Fatima organized an international competition for the design of a new building next to Pius XII Square, with a scale appropriate to the real needs. The laying of the first stone took place on June 6, 2004, Solemnity of the Holy Trinity; Three years later the work was completed, and the church was dedicated on October 12, 2007 by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then Vatican Secretary of State and Benedict XVI's legacy to close the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady. On 13 August 2012 the church was elevated to the category of Basilica. [1] [2] The new church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity for a number of reasons, including the following: the apparitions of the Angel of Peace, with his insistent invitation to worship God, the Holy Trinity; the words of John Paul II in May 1982, spoken in the Chapel of Apparitions, by which he raised his thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity; the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, also dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
The three shepherd children to whom Our Lady appeared - Lúcia and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta - were born in the small village of Aljustrel, around 2 kms from the sanctuary of Fátima. The single-storey cottages formerly inhabited by the little shepherds are very similar in terms of architecture and simplicity and are open to the general public. The house inhabited by the brother and sister, Jacinta and Francisco was built in 1888 and is located around 200 m from the house of their cousin, Lúcia, built in 1885. The House-Museum of Aljustrel is located next to the latter, displaying agricultural implements, cooking utensils, clothes and furniture, in order to demonstrate the everyday lives of local mountain dwellers in the early 20th century.
Our tour was amazing! John was very communicative and provided great insight into the history of Fatima. We aren’t a “tour” type of family, and this was perfect. John would take us to the sights of Fatima, give us a quick history, and then let us explore/reflect on our own- it was perfect for us! Would recommend to anyone who wants to experience Fatima yet still have time in Lisbon afterwards.
We had a good day, our driver Juan was very helpfull. First time in Fatima we had a great experience.
The driver was on time, communicated with us, was knowledgeable, pleasant, and friendly. The trip was beautiful and we went to the most important sites.
Our driver, John Peter (JP), drove way too fast! Usually exceeding the speed by 30 - 50 kilometers. Tailgating very closely. A bit nerve racking. His knowledge was adequate but he seemed annoyed with us when we wanted to skip the caves. Average at best.
We were happy and satisfied with this tour. The driver Jaime is friendly and gave us time to see and enjoy all important places to see in Fatima.
John was an excellent tour guide very knowledgeable. Stopping at a local restaurant was a very nice touch. Really enjoyed going at our own pace and not rushed.
Great time in Fatima and Fredrico was an outstanding guide and enjoyed the ride with him he was very courteous, patient and ver informative.
Overall a wonderful pilgrimage to Fatimah for 3 Catholics all the way from Singapore. Our driver and tour guide Carlos did a marvellous job 👍. He picked us up from the hotel punctually and gave a full day’s tour of the entire holy site and recommended an excellent restaurant for lunch. Carlos is courteous, knowledgeable and professional. Job well done.
Our private tour to Fatima with our Mom who has mobility problem became easy and worry free because of our tour guide Carlos. He has very good command of English, very polite, kind and customer oriented. Highly recommended! So grateful for the company to have assigned him to us for our private tour. Overall, we had a wonderful experience.
A wonderful moving visit to Fatima with John, our driver. As this was a pilgrmage for my wife, we wanted plenty of time on our own to visit the sites, hear a mass, etc. Our driver was great. he told us where to go, gave us his phone number and told us to call him when we were ready. If looking for guided tour, you might prefer a different option. He gave us the basic information, told us where to go and we soaked in the religious history on our own at our leisure. On the way out he stopped at the best store with clean bathrooms, on the way back we had extra time and he suggested stopping at one of two places to see, and have lunch. We asked him to join us for lunch which he normally declines and it added a great opportunity to learn more about Portugal. He had a newer clean, roomy, safe car and he was an excellent driver. Never did we feel rushed or hurried and even got back a little late because of that. LOVED the place and the driver
Clean car, safe driver, who was a good tour guide. Once we got to fatima, he let us go on our own as everything was well marked. He told us where to go, could go at our own pace and see the wonderful sites. We beat most of the crowds as well. He knew a good shop/bathroom stop on the way in and a good lunch place for on the way back. We were done a little early so he suggested two additional places of which we could stop at one of them. It was great. We asked him to join us for lunch and he shared with us a lot about his life in Portugal. John was our guides name. If looking for a guided tour with a lot of narative and people, probably not the tour for you but if looking for a private tour to enjoy on your own like a pilgramage visit to Fatima, it was perfect. Most of all, a clean, safe car and driver was important and we got that as well.
Group of 8. Wanted to go to Fatima from cruise ship in Lisbon. Picked up on time. Our guide/driver was great. Paid attention to our needs and requests. Let us go at our pace. Great experience.
It was amazing and at the same time ver spiritual. The tour company was very responsible in giving updates to the tour. Philipa was amazing and delightful. We had the most wonderful experience. We trust Viator, it never lets us down.
We appreciate the time and attention that our guide, Flávio, gave our family. He was flexible with our schedule and nothing was rushed. Flávio arrived promptly to our hotel and provided us with water. The vehicle was comfortable and spacious. We requested a lunch stop and enjoyed a delish meal. Would recommend to friends.
This was not just an ordinary tour, it was a spiritual journey. We were picked up from our hotel in a luxury car...mercedes benz. Our guide, Carlos is very nice and knowledgeable, customized the tour to our personal references. He took us to the Basilica, gave us time to do prayers and confessions, brought us to a very good restaurant, then took us to the houses of the 3 visionaries and the church where they baptized before heading back to Lisbon. I higly recommend this tour.
Guide/ driver was extremely nice. He was prompt picking us up. It was a wonderful day trip to Fatima. Such a great was to do the pilgrimage.
Fatima was so peaceful & beautiful. It brought my husband & myself to tears. You could feel the presence of a higher power. We visited the Village where the 3 children lived..it brought you back in time to a simpler life. If you go to Lisbon Fatima was about an hour 20min away. So worth the trip. Our driver Kevin was exceptional. He knew exactly where to take us. Religous articles first so they could be Blessed at the Shrine. He suggested a restaurant for lunch, Casa Platano, the food & service was great. It was a memorable day for us! Thanks Kevin for helping to make it special.
<p>We had a great day in Fatima. Our driver and guide was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of entertaining commentary along the way, she answered all our questions on a multitude of subjects. She got us great access to all the relevant sites and she was flexible to our needs and also the weather.</p>
Excelente servicio de Juan. Super servicial y siempre amable. Muy profesional. Nos espero a que termináramos nuestros pendientes.
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