✦ Catholic Tourist
World map›Portugal›Fátima

Apparition · Portugal

Sanctuary of Fátima

Fátima, Portugal

ApparitionInternational PilgrimageMarian DevotionNihil ObstatReconciliationSee How She Loves Us collection
Pilgrims cross the prayer area before the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Sanctuary of Fátima in Portugal.
Pilgrims cross the prayer area before the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Sanctuary of Fátima in PortugalPhoto by Avisadehh via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0

Why pilgrims come

Understand the Marian devotion rooted in Fátima

Fátima’s sanctuary preserves the Cova da Iria associated with the 1917 apparitions reported by the shepherd children Lucia dos Santos and Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The Chapel of the Apparitions, great esplanade, two basilicas, candlelight rosary, and nearby Aljustrel make it a complete landscape of Marian prayer and pilgrimage.

Fátima is best experienced as a prayerful sanctuary campus rather than a single building. Begin at the Chapel of the Apparitions, walk the great esplanade, visit the basilicas, and leave unhurried time for the rosary and silence.

Primary sacred connectionSt. Francisco Martotomb
Research trail3 catalog sourcesLast checked Sep 15, 2026
Pilgrim planningPublished schedule recorded2 worship times in this guide
TraditionCatholic

The sacred connection

People and objects remembered here

These relationships are part of the destination record, with feast days and catalog qualifications shown where available.

SaintSt. Francisco Marto

tomb

Feast: February 20
SaintSt. Jacinta Marto

tomb

Feast: February 20
Sacred objectTomb of Sister Lúcia

Tomb and bodily remains · Ecclesiastically documented

Inside the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, near the tombs of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

What to notice

Look closely at the place and its story

01

Chapel of the Apparitions

Pray at the heart of Cova da Iria, where the first chapel was built in response to Our Lady’s request.

02

Tombs of the three visionaries

Visit the tombs of St. Francisco Marto, St. Jacinta Marto and Sister Lúcia in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

03

Basilica of the Holy Trinity

The modern basilica provides space for the sanctuary’s largest international liturgies.

04

Valinhos and Aljustrel

Extend the visit to the shepherd children’s homes and the place of the August apparition outside the central sanctuary.

Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations

Feast of St. Francisco MartoConnected to this place through tomb.
Feast of St. Jacinta MartoConnected to this place through tomb.
Feast of Our Lady of Fátima
Anniversary of the fifth apparition at FátimaSeptember 13 remembers the fifth 1917 apparition at Cova da Iria and its call to persevere in the Rosary, prayer for peace, and prudent sacrifice; it is distinct from the May 13 feast.
Anniversary of the final apparition and Miracle of the SunOctober 13 remembers the final 1917 apparition at Cova da Iria and the event known as the Miracle of the Sun; it is distinct from the May 13 feast.

Apparition timeline

6 recorded apparition dates

1

First apparition at Cova da Iria

2

Second apparition

3

Third apparition

4

Apparition at Valinhos

5

Fifth apparition

6

Final apparition and Miracle of the Sun

How to read this page

Sources, tradition, and what is verified

Source trail3 cited catalog sources

The destination record was last checked on 9/15/2026.

Editorial standard

This page records the site’s tradition as “Catholic.” That wording describes the nature of the claim and keeps devotional tradition distinct from independently verified history.