Fátima Live Cam

Fátima History

The Fátima story is one of the most famous religious events in Portugal and has become known around the world. It involves the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in the small town of Fátima, Portugal, in 1917.

The story begins on May 13, 1917, when three young shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, claimed to have seen a lady dressed in white in a small oak tree while they were tending their sheep. The lady reportedly told the children to return to the same spot on the 13th day of each month for the next six months, during which she would reveal herself further.

Over the course of the next six months, the children had several more encounters with the lady, who identified herself as the Virgin Mary. During these encounters, the lady reportedly gave the children three secrets, which included predictions of World War II, the rise of communism, and the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.

News of the apparitions spread quickly throughout Portugal, and the small town of Fátima soon became a pilgrimage site for Catholics from around the world. Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the world, with millions of visitors each year.

In 1930, the Catholic Church officially recognized the apparitions and granted permission for the construction of a basilica and other buildings at the site. The three shepherd children were also canonized as saints in 2017, on the 100th anniversary of the first apparition. The Fátima story remains an important part of Portuguese and Catholic history, and continues to inspire devotion and pilgrimage among believers around the world.

Fátima Top Tourist Attractions

• Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima: This is the main attraction in Fátima and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. The sanctuary complex includes the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Chapel of the Apparitions, and the massive open-air esplanade where pilgrims gather for Mass.
• Valinhos: Located about a kilometer from the Sanctuary, Valinhos is the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to the children after they were released from jail. There is a monument and a small chapel on the site.
• The Fátima Museum: This museum is located inside the sanctuary complex and houses a collection of artifacts and artwork related to the apparitions and the history of Fátima.
• The Parish Church of Fátima: This is the main church in Fátima and is located in the town center. It is an impressive neo-classical building with a beautiful interior.
• Aljustrel: This is the village where the three shepherd children lived before the apparitions. Visitors can see their homes, which have been preserved as a museum, and learn about their lives before and after the apparitions.
• Batalha Monastery: Located about 20 km from Fátima, the Batalha Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Portugal. It was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
• Tomar: Located about 30 km from Fátima, Tomar is a historic town that was once the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal. The town is home to the impressive Convent of Christ, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These are just a few of the many attractions in and around Fátima that visitors can explore during their visit to this historic and religiously significant town.

Fátima Climate

Fátima has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. The temperature varies depending on the time of year, with an average high of around 16-17°C (61-63°F) in the winter months (December to February) and around 28-30°C (82-86°F) in the summer months (June to August).

The months of May and October are particularly popular for visiting Fátima due to the milder temperatures and fewer crowds. However, visitors should be prepared for occasional rainfall, particularly during the winter months.

Overall, the climate in Fátima is pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities throughout most of the year, although visitors should check the weather forecast before planning their trip and pack accordingly.

Fátima Geography

Fátima is a small town located in the center of Portugal, about 130 kilometers (81 miles) north of Lisbon. It is situated in the district of Santarém, which is part of the region known as Ribatejo.

The town itself is located on a small plateau about 350 meters (1,150 feet) above sea level, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The landscape is characterized by vineyards, olive groves, and small family farms.

Fátima is located in a region of Portugal known as the Estremadura, which is a fertile area between the Tagus and Douro rivers. The region is known for its agriculture, particularly for the production of wine, olive oil, and fresh produce.

The town is easily accessible by road, with the A1 motorway running nearby, and by train, with regular services connecting Fátima to Lisbon and other cities in Portugal. The nearest airport is Lisbon Portela Airport, which is located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Fátima.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is a complex of Catholic religious buildings and structures located in the town of Fátima, Portugal. It is the most important pilgrimage site in Portugal and one of the most significant in the world.

The shrine is centered around the Chapel of the Apparitions, which is located on the spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917. The chapel is a simple, open-air structure, with a statue of Our Lady of Fatima standing in the place where the apparitions are said to have occurred.

Nearby is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, a large church that was built in the 1950s to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting Fátima. The basilica has a modern, circular design and can hold up to 9,000 people. It contains a number of chapels, including the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Chapel of the Holy Trinity.

The shrine complex also includes several other buildings, including the large, open-air esplanade where Mass is celebrated for pilgrims, the House of Our Lady of Carmel, and the Museum of the Shrine of Fátima. Every year, millions of people make the pilgrimage to Fátima to visit the shrine and pay their respects to Our Lady of Fatima. The most popular time to visit is during the annual pilgrimage in May, which attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world.

• The shrine is built on the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, on six occasions between May and October of 1917. The apparitions were recognized by the Catholic Church in 1930.
• The shrine was built with the help of donations from Catholics around the world, and it has become a symbol of global Catholicism. Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI visited the shrine during their pontificates, and Pope Francis visited in 2017 to mark the centenary of the apparitions.
• The shrine has a number of monuments and statues, including a monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a statue of St. Joseph holding the child Jesus, and a monument to the four visionaries of Fátima, which includes a statue of Lucia dos Santos.
• The museum of the shrine houses a collection of artifacts and artwork related to the apparitions and the history of Fátima, including the original crown worn by the statue of Our Lady of Fátima.
• The esplanade in front of the basilica is the site of many celebrations and events, including the annual candlelight procession in the evening of May 12 and October 12, which is one of the most moving and emotional moments of the pilgrimage.

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is not only an important religious site but also a symbol of peace and hope for people around the world. Visitors to the shrine can experience the unique atmosphere of Fátima, learn about the history and significance of the apparitions, and participate in the spiritual practices and traditions that have been developed over the past century.