Fátima, Portugal:
What to see and do in the city

History and Mystique of the City of Fatima

In the heart of Portugal, shrouded in a mantle of mysticism and devotion, lies the city of Fátima. More than just a tourist destination, Fátima is a sacred place, a gateway to faith and history that attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. Its history, closely linked to the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917, has made it one of the main Marian centers on the planet, a place of prayer, peace, and reflection.

13th May - Apparitions in Fatima

The iconic story of Fatima begins with three little shepherds: Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. These three historical figures of the Catholic world witnessed the apparitions of the Virgin Mary between 13 May and 13 October 1917. These events spread around the world, attracting thousands and thousands of faithful to the Cova da Iria, the famous site of the apparitions.

With all the symbolic weight of these events, over the years Fátima has grown more and more into one of the world's largest religious centers, welcoming millions of pilgrims every year.

Every year, on 13 May, the city of Fátima is flooded with faith and devotion. This is the opening day of the celebrations of Our Lady Apparitions to the 3 Little Shepherds, the day of her first apparition in 1917. Thousands of pilgrims from Portugal and the rest of the world gather to celebrate Our Lady apparitions. The celebrations begin at dawn with the recitation of the Rosary by the Shrine's torch. At dawn, a crowd attends the Holy Father's Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Throughout the day, various processions fill Fatima, each with its own unique beauty. The Candlelight Procession at nightfall marks one of the most symbolic and moving moments of the celebrations, with the Shrine completely illuminated by the small flames of the pilgrims and faithful. The celebrations end with the Recitation of the Rosary at Cova da Iria, the site of the apparitions in 1917.

More than religious events, the 13th of May in Fátima represents faith, communion, and hope, uniting people from different cultures in one feeling: devotion to Our Lady of Fátima.

The celebrations take place on the 13th of every month until the 13th of October, the date of Our Lady's last apparition.

Given this historical and symbolic weight, Portugal Jewels have developed a set of gold and silver jewelry produced in Portugal, giving rise to the collection inspired by Our Lady of Fatima. This collection is also available in the Shrine's shops.

The Tradition of Masses in Fatima: Ceremony Timetables

Apart from the special 13th of May, Fátima continues to welcome thousands of pilgrims, tourists, Christians or just the curious throughout the year. If you're a visitor to Fátima, check out the calendar of Masses and other ceremonies at the Fátima Shrine, of which there are several every day.