Igreja de Sao Domingos. Dating from the 13th century, it hosted royal weddings until 1910. Partly and totally destroyed in two earthquakes in 1531 and 1755, a fire in 1959 completely gutted the church. It reopened in 1994. We went here for Easter Mass.
Igreja de Sao Domingos. Dating from the 13th century, it hosted royal weddings until 1910. Partly and totally destroyed in two earthquakes in 1531 and 1755, a fire in 1959 completely gutted the church. It reopened in 1994. We went here for Easter Mass.
Rossio Square with monument to King Pedro IV in the center, dating from 1874. Pedro IV was also the first Emperor of Brazil. The Santa Justa lift is in the background vertically connecting lower Lisbon to an upper level of the city.
Rossio Square with monument to King Pedro IV in the center, dating from 1874. Pedro IV was also the first Emperor of Brazil. The Santa Justa lift is in the background vertically connecting lower Lisbon to an upper level of the city.
The Eden Theater, a cinema that closed in 1989. Today it is an apartment hotel.
The Eden Theater, a cinema that closed in 1989. Today it is an apartment hotel.
Restoration Square, containing a monument to the restoration of Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640.
Restoration Square, containing a monument to the restoration of Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640.
Not sure why cars were blocked off like this but a large number of streets had cars and parking spaces blocked off on this day which was a religious holiday for many (Good Friday).
Not sure why cars were blocked off like this but a large number of streets had cars and parking spaces blocked off on this day which was a religious holiday for many (Good Friday).
On the bus to Fatima, we passed the monument to the first Marquess of Pombal, who served as Prime Minister from 1750 to 1777.
On the bus to Fatima, we passed the monument to the first Marquess of Pombal, who served as Prime Minister from 1750 to 1777.
Arriving at Fatima, we saw this sign. Fatima is one of Catholicism's major pilgrimage sites where the Virgin Mary appeared to three Portuguese children in 1917.
Arriving at Fatima, we saw this sign. Fatima is one of Catholicism's major pilgrimage sites where the Virgin Mary appeared to three Portuguese children in 1917.
Chapel of the Apparitions. The statue is at the spot where the Virgin Mary appeared to the children several times in 1917.
Chapel of the Apparitions. The statue is at the spot where the Virgin Mary appeared to the children several times in 1917.
The Sanctuary of Fatima and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Four million pilgrims visit Fatima every year.
The Sanctuary of Fatima and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Four million pilgrims visit Fatima every year.
Inside the Basilica. The Basilica was opened in 1965.
Inside the Basilica. The Basilica was opened in 1965.
Altars and stained glass windows in the Basilica commemorate the mysteries of the Rosary (events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary) and the apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
Altars and stained glass windows in the Basilica commemorate the mysteries of the Rosary (events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary) and the apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
By the late 20th century, the original basilica was judged too small to handle the influx of pilgrims.
By the late 20th century, the original basilica was judged too small to handle the influx of pilgrims.
In 2004, work began on a new, ultra-modern church, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity.
In 2004, work began on a new, ultra-modern church, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity.
Pope (now Saint) John Paul II visited Fatima several times. He was convinced that Our Lady of Fatima saved his life after the assassination attempt in 1981. The shooting occurred 64 years to the day after the first Fatima apparition.
Pope (now Saint) John Paul II visited Fatima several times. He was convinced that Our Lady of Fatima saved his life after the assassination attempt in 1981. The shooting occurred 64 years to the day after the first Fatima apparition.
Nativity scene at the new Basilica.
Nativity scene at the new Basilica.
A Greek architect, Alexandros Tombazis, designed the Basilica.
A Greek architect, Alexandros Tombazis, designed the Basilica.
The Basilica seats over 8,600 persons.
The Basilica seats over 8,600 persons.
Unlike a lot of pilgrimage sites, there were not street vendors selling religious articles. Instead, commerce was confined to stores selling Fatima-related goods.
Unlike a lot of pilgrimage sites, there were not street vendors selling religious articles. Instead, commerce was confined to stores selling Fatima-related goods.

Click on photo to begin slide show.  Slides advance every five seconds. Use manual controls to pause, speed up or slow down.

Lisbon to Fatima 3 25 16

We walked around Lisbon in the morning before taking a bus tour to Fatima in the afternoon.

Next Photo Page

NOTE: The browser back button will usually take you to same spot on the Itinerary Page; if not, click the link above to take you to the top of the Itinerary Page.

Fado Video