Fátima is a parish in the municipality of Ourém, in the district of Santarém.
It is world-famous for its Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary of Fátima is one of the most important religious sites and is visited annually by thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.
The place where the Sanctuary stands, Cova da Iria, was until 1917 an unknown rural area in the parish of Fátima.
That year, a religious event changed its history forever when three shepherd children, Jacinta and her cousins Francisco and Lúcia, witnessed apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Initially viewed with skepticism by the Church but embraced by the people, the phenomenon was officially recognized in 1930 by the Bishop of Leiria.
Since then, the development of the town has been remarkable, becoming a village in 1977 and a city in 1997.
May 13 marks the date of the first apparition and remains the most important celebration in Fátima.
One of the most significant moments is the Candlelight Procession on the night of May 12, when thousands of candles create a magical atmosphere of devotion.
Every month, especially on the 12th and 13th, thousands of pilgrims travel to Fátima guided by faith.
To facilitate travel, four official Pilgrimage Routes have been identified: Tejo Route, North Route, Nazaré Route and Sea Route.