Sanctuary of Fátima, Fátima

Nestled in the heart of Portugal, the Sanctuary of Fátima is a revered pilgrimage site that beckons millions of visitors each year. This sacred complex is best known for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported by three shepherd children in 1917. Located in the small city of Fátima, the sanctuary is a place of peace, prayer, and profound spirituality.

Central to the Sanctuary of Fátima is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, an imposing neoclassical church with a 65-meter-high bell tower that dominates the skyline. The basilica's cornerstone was laid in 1928, and it was consecrated in 1953. Inside, visitors are greeted by the stunning sight of golden mosaics, stained-glass windows, and the tombs of the visionaries, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and the tomb of Sister Lúcia, who witnessed the Marian apparitions.

Adjacent to the basilica is the Chapel of the Apparitions, marking the precise spot where the Virgin Mary appeared to the children. An open-air structure, it houses a statue of Our Lady of Fátima, where pilgrims gather to pray and reflect. The vast, open square, known as the Prayer Area, can accommodate hundreds of thousands of people during major events and is surrounded by impressive colonnades.

The Sanctuary also includes the modern Church of the Holy Trinity, completed in 2007, which is a striking example of contemporary religious architecture. With a seating capacity of 8,633, it is one of the largest Christian churches in the world.

Visitors to the Sanctuary of Fátima can attend daily masses, participate in the recitation of the Rosary, or join the famous Candlelight Procession in the evening, which is a moving display of faith and devotion. The 13th of each month from May to October marks the anniversary of the apparitions, with special celebrations drawing particularly large crowds in May and October.