FÁTIMA

In Fátima , you can visit the sanctuary, built in praise to the virgin and the new Basilic. Today, Fátima is the altar of the world , is faith and peace - a place chosen by millions of pilgrims who wish to feel the power of spirituality close at hand. The story of Fátima dates from May 13th 1917, when three shepherd children - Francisco, Jacinta Marto and their cousin, Lúcia - were tending their flock in Cova da Íria. They were amazed to see an apparition of Our Lady, who asked them to pray for the peace in the world. The Chapel of Apparitions was built, on the very site of the original appearance. In later years, the neo-baroque Basilica was built as part of the Sanctuary: it is now one of the most visited monuments in Portugal, with nearly seven million visitors every year.

Recently, on October 12th 2007, a new church was inaugurated in the Shrine of Fátima, the Most Holy Trinity Church, a modern building, with the capacity of 9000 seats, designed by the Greek architect Alexandros N. Tombaris.