Fátima, in Portugal, has become one of the main centers of the Cult of the Virgin Mary and is recognized globally as one of the world's leading religious destinations devoted to Our Lady of Fátima. It's a place where the spiritual journey begins.

Of ancient origins, it was Arab rule that marked the development of the place and gave it its name. According to legend, during the Christian Reconquest, the Templar knight Gonçalo Hermingues, known as Traga-Mouros, fell in love with Fátima, a Moorish woman taken captive during an ambush.

Reciprocating this love, the young woman converted to Christianity, taking the name Oureana. In the 16th century, the town of Fátima was elevated to the status of parish of the Ourém collegiate church, thus becoming part of the Diocese of Leiria.

The town developed significantly following the apparitions of Fátima at the beginning of the 20th century, becoming one of the largest centers of Marian worship in Portugal, recognized worldwide by the Catholic Church.

The first apparition of Our Lady of Fátima took place in 1917, at Cova da Iria, where the Sanctuary of Fátima currently stands. The largest demonstrations of devotees took place on May 13th (with the Candlelight Procession on the evening of the 12th and the Farewell Procession on the 13th, which concludes the celebrations) and October 13th. However, between these two dates, every 13th is a day of devotion.

Related to the cult of Our Lady of Fátima, you can visit the houses where the shepherd children lived, in the village of Aljustrel.

In the backyard of Lúcia's House, a monument commemorates the second apparition of the Angel of Peace and the end of the Stations of the Cross, which began at the Sanctuary. Along the route are 14 small chapels donated by Hungarian Catholic refugees in the West. Of particular note is the passage through Valinhos, 400 meters from the village, where monuments mark the site of the fourth apparition in 1917 and the Loca do Anjo, where the shepherd children saw the Angel of Peace for the first and third time in 1916.

Month of Mary

Every year, the international pilgrimage commemorates the anniversary of the Apparitions of Fátima, specifically on May 12th and 13th and October 13th. However, May is the Month of Mary par excellence, and Fátima is the destination for thousands of pilgrims from all corners of the world.

The celebrations of the Month of Mary, in May, have the particularity of including the beautiful and iconic Candlelight Procession, on the night of May 12th, a true sea of light, and the Farewell Procession, on May 13th, in which fluttering white scarves tear through the skies, in tribute to Our Lady of Fátima.

The Sanctuary of Fátima can be reached in about 80 minutes by car from Quinta da Palmeira – Country House Retreat & Spa.