Spirituality
Sanctuary of Fatima
The Sanctuary of Fatima is a place of pilgrimage that commemorates its founding event, the apparitions of Our Lady to the three little shepherds. The pastoral welcome of pilgrims is a key element of its mission. The Shrine includes the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Prayer Area, the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity and the Shrine Museum with the permanent exhibition “Fatima, Light and Peace”.
Museum of the Sanctuary of Fatima
Founded in 1955, the museum includes temporary and permanent exhibitions and the Aljustrel House-Museum. The permanent exhibition “Light and Peace” contains the Museum’s most important pieces, including the precious crown often worn by the image of Our Lady on important occasions or major pilgrimages, and the Golden Rose offered by Pope Benedict XVI to Our Lady of Fatima.
Way of the Cross - Valinhos
Known as the Way of the Cross or the Shepherds’ Way, it is one of the most popular routes in Fátima. One of its most emblematic points is the Loca do Anjo, the place where the apparitions of the Angel to the seers are said to have taken place. The Way of the Cross begins at the South Roundabout and ends at the Hungarian Calvary, where there is a chapel dedicated to St. Stephen. The nature and peace that can be experienced in this place make it unmissable and unique.
Hungarian Calvary
At the highest point of the Way of the Cross is the Hungarian Calvary and the Chapel of St. Stephen of Hungary. The inspiration for the construction of the Hungarian Calvary came from two Hungarian priests, Father Elias Kardos and Father Luis Kondor, who, attentive to the Message of Fatima, saw in this message a “light” from God for the Hungarian people who lived under the pressure of the communist dictatorship and the persecution of the Church after World War II.
Loca do Cabeço
In 1916, the three children were shepherding in Loca do Cabeço when a young man, about 14 or 15 years old, appeared, whiter than snow, saying: “Do not be afraid, I am the Angel of Peace, pray with me: My God, I believe, worship, hope and love you. I ask your forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not worship, do not hope and do not love you.
House Museum of Aljustrel
Inaugurated in August 1992 with the aim of showing how the village of Aljustrel lived at the time of the apparitions, the Aljustrel House-Museum is housed in the former home of Maria Rosa, Lucia’s baptismal godmother. The thematic cycles that take place there (the cycle of professions, bread, clothing and the home), shown mainly from the “Furniture, Home and Work” collection, take the visitor back to the first decades of the 20th century, the setting for the key events in the history and message of Fatima.
Sanctuary of our Lady of Ortiga
According to tradition, in Cabeço da Ortiga, Our Lady appeared to a mute shepherdess who asked for a sheep. The father was amazed that his daughter could speak and said yes to Our Lady, who asked for a chapel to be built on the site, which happened in 1758. In July, the chapel welcomes hundreds of pilgrims. The site offers a panoramic view of the region and can be reached by taking the Fátima – Ortiga ecovia.
Spirituality Path
Circuit
1 – Sanctuary of Fatima
2 – Museum of the Sanctuary of Fatima
3 – Way of the Cross – Valinhos
4 – Hungarian Calvary
5 – Loca do Cabeço
6 – House Museum of Aljustrel
7 – Sanctuary of our Lady of Ortiga