The Sanctuary of Fátima: Chapels, Basilicas and Visitor Maps

The Sanctuary of Fátima, officially the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima, is one of Portugal’s most important religious destinations and one of the best-known Marian pilgrimage sites in the world. The sanctuary stands at Cova da Iria, where three shepherd children—Lúcia de Jesus and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto—reported a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917.

Today the sanctuary is much more than a single church. The complex includes the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, the vast Prayer Area, chapels, monuments and spaces for worship and reflection. Nearby, visitors can continue to Valinhos and Aljustrel, where several events associated with the children and the apparitions took place.

Whether you visit Fátima as a pilgrim, for its history, or as part of a broader journey through central Portugal, understanding the layout before you arrive makes the experience much easier.

What Happened at Fátima in 1917?

According to the accounts recognized by the Catholic Church, Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta reported that they saw a “Lady more brilliant than the Sun” at Cova da Iria on May 13, 1917. They said that she asked them to return on the 13th day of the following months.

Further reported apparitions took place at Cova da Iria on June 13, July 13, September 13 and October 13. The August apparition took place on August 19 at Valinhos, after the children had been detained by the local administrator on August 13.

The final apparition at Cova da Iria occurred on October 13, 1917, before a large crowd. The Lady identified herself as Our Lady of the Rosary and asked that a chapel be built at the site. The small chapel constructed in response to that request became the center around which the modern sanctuary developed.

The Bishop of Leiria officially declared the apparitions worthy of belief and authorized the devotion to Our Lady of Fátima in 1930.

Chapel of the Apparitions: The Heart of the Sanctuary

The Chapel of the Apparitions is the spiritual center of Fátima and the place most visitors should see first. Five of the six reported Marian apparitions of 1917 took place here.

The original chapel was constructed in 1919, blessed in 1921 and rebuilt after being dynamited in 1922. Although it has undergone modifications over the years, the small white chapel still preserves the simple character of the original structure.

A statue of Our Lady of Fátima stands at the site associated with the holm oak over which the children said the Virgin Mary appeared. Rosaries, Masses and candlelight processions regularly take place here, and the atmosphere can vary considerably depending on the time of day and whether a major pilgrimage is underway.

The Prayer Area and Colonnade

The large open space between the two basilicas is known as the Prayer Area. It is the principal gathering place for the largest liturgical celebrations and processions.

On the northern side, the sweeping colonnade frames the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. The architectural complex contains 200 columns and half-columns, 14 altars and a ceramic Way of the Cross. Above it stand statues of saints associated with Marian devotion and religious congregations represented in Fátima.

The scale of the open esplanade is part of the experience of the sanctuary. On ordinary days it can feel quiet and spacious; during the great pilgrimages it becomes the setting for very large congregations.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima

The older basilica, with its tall central bell tower, is the most recognizable architectural landmark of the sanctuary. Its first stone was blessed on May 13, 1928, and the church was dedicated on October 7, 1953. Pope Pius XII granted it the title of basilica in 1954.

The interior contains 14 side altars representing mysteries of the Rosary. Stained glass and other artworks refer to the apparitions and the message of Fátima.

For many pilgrims, the most important reason to enter the basilica is to visit the tombs of the three shepherds. Francisco Marto is buried in the right transept. Jacinta Marto and Sister Lúcia are buried in the left transept. Francisco and Jacinta were canonized by Pope Francis at Fátima on May 13, 2017.

The basilica also contains a major pipe organ. The original instrument was installed in the 1950s and later substantially restored and reconstructed for the centennial period of the apparitions.

Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity

At the opposite end of the Prayer Area stands the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, a striking contemporary contrast to the older basilica.

The need for a much larger church had been recognized for decades because the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary could not accommodate the number of pilgrims attending major services. An international architectural competition was held in 1997, and the winning design was created by Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis.

The first stone was placed in 2004, and the church was dedicated in 2007. Its broad circular form, contemporary religious art and enormous interior make it one of the largest modern churches in Portugal and the principal indoor space for major celebrations when weather or attendance requires it.

Perpetual Adoration and Places for Quiet Prayer

Although the open sanctuary can be busy, Fátima also provides spaces intended for quieter prayer and Eucharistic adoration. Visitors who want time away from the main flow of pilgrims should look for the sanctuary’s designated chapels of prayer and adoration.

Locations and liturgical use can change according to the sanctuary program, so travelers attending for religious reasons should consult the official Fátima schedule on the day of their visit rather than relying on an old printed timetable.

The Holm Oak and the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A surviving holm oak near the Chapel of the Apparitions is traditionally associated with the place where the shepherd children and early pilgrims waited and prayed. It should not be confused with the smaller tree over which the children said the apparitions occurred.

Near the center of the Prayer Area stands the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, positioned above a spring discovered during the early development of the sanctuary. The monument has long served as another visual reference point within the immense esplanade.

The Berlin Wall Monument

One of the more unexpected objects at Fátima is a large concrete section of the Berlin Wall.

The monument was inaugurated on August 13, 1994. The piece weighs approximately 2.6 tons and measures about 3.6 meters high by 1.2 meters wide. It was donated by a Portuguese emigrant living in Germany and installed as a memorial connected with the fall of communism in Europe.

For visitors interested in 20th-century history, it is a reminder that the story and devotional message of Fátima became intertwined with major political events far beyond Portugal.

The Way of the Cross to Valinhos and Aljustrel

To understand Fátima beyond the main sanctuary, allow time for the route toward Valinhos and Aljustrel. This quieter landscape connects the modern pilgrimage center with the rural places where the three children lived.

The Way of the Cross follows a route associated with the shepherd children and includes 14 small chapels donated by Hungarian Catholics who had become refugees in Western countries. A 15th chapel represents the Resurrection.

Walking this route gives visitors a very different impression of Fátima. The monumental scale of Cova da Iria gives way to paths, olive trees, low stone walls and a more rural setting.

Valinhos: Site of the August 1917 Apparition

Valinhos is associated with the fourth reported apparition of Our Lady, which occurred on August 19, 1917.

The apparition took place here rather than at Cova da Iria because on August 13 the three children had been detained and taken to Vila Nova de Ourém. A monument now marks the place associated with the August apparition.

Valinhos is close to Aljustrel and can easily be combined with the shepherds’ homes and the Loca do Anjo.

Loca do Anjo: The Angel of Peace

Before the Marian apparitions of 1917, the children reported three appearances of an angel in 1916. The place known as the Loca do Anjo is associated with the first and third of these encounters.

The children referred to the figure as the Angel of Peace or Angel of Portugal. The site is now part of the devotional landscape between the sanctuary, Valinhos and Aljustrel.

The Homes of Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta in Aljustrel

The village of Aljustrel, roughly two kilometers from the sanctuary, preserves the homes associated with the three shepherd children.

Visiting the houses provides useful historical context because it shows the modest rural environment in which the children lived before Fátima became an international pilgrimage destination.

At Lúcia’s family property, visitors can also see the well associated with the second reported apparition of the Angel of Peace in 1916. Francisco and Jacinta lived nearby.

If you have enough time, this is one of the most worthwhile additions to the main sanctuary. Visitors who see only Cova da Iria miss much of the geographical context of the Fátima story.

Other Monuments and Buildings at the Sanctuary

The original PortugalOnline guide catalogued numerous monuments around the sanctuary. Several remain useful landmarks when exploring the complex:

• High Cross: a prominent cross at the southern side of the Prayer Area.
• Monument to Pope Paul VI: commemorates his pilgrimage to Fátima on May 13, 1967.
• Monument to Pope Pius XII: erected in the 20th century in recognition of the pope’s connection with Fátima.
• Paul VI Pastoral Center: a large facility used for meetings, conferences and pastoral activities.
• House of Our Lady of Carmel and Rectory: part of the wider sanctuary complex and its pilgrim-support infrastructure.
• House of Our Lady of Sorrows: historically associated with hospitality for pilgrims, retreats and care during major pilgrimages.

These sites are secondary to the Chapel of the Apparitions and the two basilicas for most first-time visitors, but they help explain how Fátima developed from a small rural chapel into a large international pilgrimage center.

When Are the Major Pilgrimages to Fátima?

The most important annual pilgrimage dates are connected with the reported apparitions of 1917.

May 12–13

The celebrations surrounding May 13, anniversary of the first apparition, are among the largest of the year. The program traditionally includes the Candlelight Procession on the evening of May 12 and the principal pilgrimage celebrations and Farewell Procession on May 13.

October 12–13

The October pilgrimage commemorates the final apparition of October 13, 1917. Like the May pilgrimage, it attracts very large numbers of pilgrims and has an extensive liturgical program.

The 13th from May through October

Other apparition anniversaries between May and October are also observed, and visitor numbers can be considerably higher around the 12th and 13th of those months.

If your goal is to experience Fátima at its most intense and devotional, a major pilgrimage can be extraordinary. If you prefer to see the sanctuary quietly and concentrate on its history and architecture, choose another date.

How Much Time Do You Need at Fátima?

For a first visit, allow approximately 90 minutes to two hours for the main sanctuary if you want to see the Chapel of the Apparitions, both basilicas and the Prayer Area without rushing.

Allow half a day or more if you also want to walk or travel to Valinhos and Aljustrel, visit the shepherds’ homes and spend time at the Way of the Cross or in prayer.

Travelers visiting as part of a guided day excursion will generally have a more concentrated sanctuary visit before continuing to other central Portugal destinations such as Batalha, Nazaré or Óbidos.

What Should Visitors Know Before Going?

• Check the daily program. Mass and Rosary times vary, and major pilgrimages operate on special schedules.
• Dress respectfully. The sanctuary is an active place of Catholic worship, even though visitors of all backgrounds are welcome.
• Expect crowds around major pilgrimage dates. May 12–13 and October 12–13 are especially busy.
• Allow extra time for Aljustrel and Valinhos. They are separate from the main sanctuary and should not be treated as part of a quick walk across the esplanade.
• Be considerate during services. Photography, conversation and movement should not interfere with worship or private prayer.
• Use the official sanctuary schedule for current information. Service locations and times can change seasonally and during special events.

Can You Visit Fátima as a Day Trip from Lisbon?

Yes. Fátima is commonly visited from Lisbon as part of a full-day journey through central Portugal. Because several important destinations lie along the same general route, Fátima is often combined with Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos.

This works especially well for travelers who want both the religious importance of Fátima and a broader introduction to Portugal’s history and Atlantic coast.

If Fátima is your primary reason for traveling, however, an overnight stay or a dedicated half-day visit allows much more time for prayer, Mass, Valinhos and Aljustrel.

Visiting Fátima on a Portugal Tour

Fátima fits naturally into a central Portugal itinerary between Lisbon and northern Portugal. Several PortugalOnline itineraries include the sanctuary rather than requiring travelers to organize transportation and timing independently.

The 3-Day Wonders of Portugal Tour combines Fátima with Sintra, Batalha, Nazaré, Óbidos and Évora from Lisbon.

For travelers who want additional time in Portugal, the 5-Day Wonders of Portugal Tour includes a guided central Portugal excursion with time at the Sanctuary of Fátima before continuing to Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos.

The longer 11-Day Portugal In Depth Guided Tour visits Fátima while traveling north from Lisbon through Óbidos, Alcobaça and Nazaré toward Tomar, Coimbra and Porto.

You can also compare all guided Portugal tours, or use our Portugal Vacation Planner if you would like a Portugal travel specialist to include Fátima in a customized itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sanctuary of Fátima

Where is the Sanctuary of Fátima?

The sanctuary is located at Cova da Iria in the city of Fátima, in central Portugal, roughly between Lisbon and Coimbra.

What is the most important place to see at Fátima?

The Chapel of the Apparitions is considered the heart of the sanctuary because it marks the place associated with five of the six reported Marian apparitions of 1917.

Where are Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia buried?

All three are buried inside the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Francisco’s tomb is in one transept, while Jacinta and Sister Lúcia are buried together in the opposite transept area.

Is the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity the same as the older basilica?

No. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary is the older church with the tall bell tower. The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity is the large modern church at the opposite end of the Prayer Area.

What are the most important pilgrimage dates?

The largest annual pilgrimages are centered on May 12–13 and October 12–13. The 13th day of the months between May and October also has special devotional significance.

Where did the August 1917 apparition take place?

The reported apparition of August 19, 1917 took place at Valinhos, near Aljustrel, rather than at Cova da Iria.

Can non-Catholics visit Fátima?

Yes. The sanctuary attracts pilgrims, tourists, historians and visitors of many backgrounds. Visitors should remember that it remains an active place of worship and behave respectfully during religious services.

Should I visit Aljustrel as well as the sanctuary?

If time allows, yes. The shepherds’ homes, Valinhos and the Loca do Anjo provide important context and make the story of Fátima easier to understand geographically.

Map of Fátima Landmarks

The map below can help orient visitors to the sanctuary and the wider Fátima area.

Official Fátima Resources

• Shrine of Fátima official website – current schedules, events, pilgrimages and visitor information.
• Shrine of Fátima daily schedule – current Mass, Rosary and celebration times.
• Visit Portugal – Pilgrimages to Fátima – background on the apparitions and main pilgrimage dates.

Last reviewed August 2026. Religious-service schedules and access arrangements may change; verify current information with the Shrine of Fátima before your visit.