One of the larges pilgrimage places in the world. Whether you're religious or not, this place is absolutely impressive.

In the spring of 1917 the 3 shepherds children Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco saw the apparition of the “lady of the rosary”. The first time this happened was on 13 May 1917, and after that day she returned every month until the last time on 13 October 1917. During her apparitions she tells the children 3 secrets.

Pilgrimage

Since then Fátima became an important pilgrimage place. Every year on 12 and 13 May, and 12 and 13 October, thousands of pilgrims travel to Fátima.
The most important building is the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário (basilica of our lady of the rosary), a neo-classic church on the edge of the large square. The tower is 65 meters high, and the church is flanked by impressive colonnades that refer to other parts of the complex.
On the square visitors can follow the mass in the Capela das Aparições (chapel of the apparitions). In this chapel the exact location of the apparitions is marked by a statue of Maria. Inside the basilica are the graves of the 3 children. Lucia, who died in 2005 at the age of 96, was buried in the basilica in 2006.

Church of the Holy Trinity

Fátima is also the home base of the 4th largest catholic church in the world, the Igreja da Santíssima Trindade (church of the holy trinity).
This church was inaugurated in 2005 and has 9,000 seats. Renowned artists from Ireland, Canada, Portugal, Slovenia and Germany were involved in the construction. One can enter the church through 13 doors, the main entrance and the other 12 doors symbolize Jesus and the 12 apostles. Behind the altar is a mosaic, partly decorated with gold leaf. The gold represents the search for light by mankind. When you look at the left part of the mosaic, you see Mary and in front of her the 2 children who died young, behind her on the left you see Lucia. If you look even better at the mosaic you will see that the third woman from the left is Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
An Irish artist has made the crucifix above the altar. She has portrayed Jesus here with his head high and his eyes open. The idea behind this is the resurrection of Jesus looking at humanity.
On the outside of the church you see a statue of a pope on every corner. The best known is pope John Paul II, who had a warm relationship with Fátima. In 2000 he blessed Francisco and Jacinta, who died in 1919 and 1920.