Duration: 1 Day (approx. 8 hours)
Price: from 72 EUR
Belongs to categories:
Coach tours  |  One day tours  |  Tours outside Lisbon

The fascinating history of the apparition of Our Lady at Fatima to three children has had amazing impact on people all over the world. Today the Fatima Sanctuary or also the Our Lady of the Rosary Basilica is visited by about 4 million people annually. At the time when the first apparitions took place the site was called Cova de Iria. Three local shepherds Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta saw Our Lady and heard her divine message in 1917, and the apparitions repeated for several months ahead on every day of 13th. Years later Lucia donated the land, which belonged to her parents, for the sanctuary. The construction began in 1928 but it was not completed before 1954. The sanctuary represents a complex consisting of the Basilica, a Prayer Area, the Chapel of Apparitions, the Our Lady of Rest Retreat, the Our Lady of Suffering Retreat, the Our Lady of Carmel Retreat and the Paul VI Pastoral Centre. The apparitions were recognized by the church in 1930 and since then 2 Popes came to pilgrimage at Fatima.

After the divine mysticism of Fatima our trip will continue to the town of Nazare. It used to be a small typical fishing town, and though today Nazare has turned into a marvelous resort spot it still hosts the fish sellers on its streets and the scent of peaceful everyday life along with the crowds of tourists.

The town of Obidos, a charming town of adorable white houses typical for the region, is the next stop of this exploration tour. The town is encircled by medieval protection walls the construction of which was commanded by the king Dom Fernando in the 14th century. Car traffic is completely forbidden inside the town and it has various entrances of amazing design and singular beauty. One that especially outstands is the southern gateway with its decoration of 18th century tiles. Among the sites of interest in the area is the castle built by order of one of the greatest Portuguese kings Dom Dinis, as a wedding gift to his Queen Dona Isabel, known as the Holy Queen. Today this romantic castle has been turned into one of the most exclusive hotels in the country, welcoming visitors in its 6 rooms.