Fátima
Portugal´s major place of pilgramage
Fátima Basilica - Alfonso Romero
Fátima is a small Portuguese town that over the course of the 20th century has become one of the major pilgrimage centres of Europe. On the 13th of each month from May to October huge numbers of people, well over a hundred thousand at a time, make the journey to the sanctuary of "Our Lady of Fátima".
The pilgrimages are made to commemorate events that took place in 1917 when three peasant children, Francisco Marto, Jacinta Marto and Lúcia dos Santos, claimed to have seen a series of religious apparitions that culminated in a vision of "Our Lady of Fatima".
Luica, Francisco & Jacinta
The children´s description of the events became a national sensation across Portugal, attracting tens of thousands of people to Fátima on October 17th 1917.
At this date the spectators en-masse claimed to see more miraculous visions and since then the town of Fátima has attracted millions of devotees of the Virgin Mary. A huge basilica was built in Fátima, around which are several convents and hospital buildings.
Hotels in towns and cities close to Fátima
View of Lisbon - José Manuel
Hotels in Batalha
Batalha is the home of Portugal´s greatest national shrine, the monastery of Our Lady of Victory, and is 15 km from the sanctuary of Fátima.....(More)
Hotels in Óbidos
Obidos is a beautiful fortified city and a world heritage sight. The city has attracted generations of talented artisans and their work can be seen throughout. There is also an amphitheatre which puts on frequent performances. Óbidos is 52 km from Fátima.....(More)
Hotels in Ourem
Ourem is situated upon a hilltop providing excellent views of the surrounding valley and is 6 km from Fátima......(More)