Fátima-Shrine of the World

The most well known Roman Catholic Sanctuary, with daily pilgrims from all over the world.

The history, the basilicas, the religious art and iconology.

The museological spaces, the holy artifacts.

The Homes of the 3 little sheppards.

A small museum of local olive oil producers.

Pick up and drop off included.

All tickets and lunch included.

We adjust the itinerary to any slight mobility issue.

This Tour starts at Lisbon or Porto.

We arrive at Fátima welcoming center, comfort stop and also an opportunity to get any items you might want to have blessed later at the Sanctuary.

SANCTUARY OF FATIMA

In what we might call a godforsaken corner of central Portugal, tens of thousands of people witnessed an apparition in 1917 – and a deserted field was transformed into the small town of Fátima, an important pilgrimage site for Catholics. Of the various “places of apparitions” in Europe, perhaps the most visited.

It all started on May 13, 1917, when three children were tending their sheep. Suddenly, the sky lit up and a woman — Mary, the mother of Christ, “a lady brighter than the sun” — appeared at the foot of an olive tree. In the midst of the bloody First World War, she brought the message that peace was coming. The war continued, and on the 13th day of each of the next five months, Mary showed up again to appeal for peace. “Pray the Rosary for peace”, she asked.

Today, thousands of believers come every month to rejoice in this modern miracle. Many come on foot from all over Portugal – traveling up to 300 kilometers to get here.

Fátima is a welcoming place even for those who are just curious. It is a huge complex, with two large churches that enclose a vast square (72,000 sqm). Wandering through this area, we can see the 21st century equivalent of a medieval pilgrimage center: lots of beds, restaurants, fields of picnic tables and parking lots, and countless stalls selling religious souvenirs – all ready for the crowds of people that flood the place, especially on the 12th and 13th of the each month, from May to October.

We will enjoy a Portuguese meal in a local restaurant and then visit the Permanent exhibition Fátima Light and Peace.

The permanent exhibition Fátima Luz e Paz opened in August 2002 in the Rectory building of the Sanctuary of Fátima.

The visit begins by walking through a dark tunnel, a symbol of the darkness experienced in 1917, followed by the screening a film explaining the phenomenon, subtitled in several languages, where you can hear a recording of Sister Lúcia's voice.

In the museum part you can see vestments and gifts from the various Popes who visited the Sanctuary, as well as the crown of Our Lady of Fátima, where the bullet that almost killed John Paul II in 1981 is housed. Thousands of private offerings, from all corners of the world, gold pieces, a wedding dress, a shawl by Amália Rodrigues (fado singer) or a sweater by Joaquim Agostinho (cyclist).

 There are many pieces full of symbolism and faith that we can find here, which are valuable for their materials but above all for the history they represent.

We then proceed to the small village of Valinhos, to visit the homes of the children who witnessed the 1917 apparitions, now opened to the public. Saint Jacinta, Saint Francis and the Venerable Sister Lucia will welcome us in their abodes.

We finish this tour with a visit to a local olive oil Museum.

Return to Lisbon or Porto