Fátima, Santarém, Portugal

Fátima is a parish in the municipality of Ourém, located in the district of Santarém, Portugal. The parish is situated in the Centro Region of Portugal, approximately 120 kilometers north of Lisbon. Fátima is a significant pilgrimage site, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The parish of Fátima is best known for the Sanctuary of Fátima, a major Catholic pilgrimage site that commemorates the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three local shepherd children in 1917. The sanctuary complex includes several churches, chapels, and other facilities, and is one of the most important and popular Marian shrines in the world. The apparitions and the subsequent construction of the sanctuary have had a profound impact on the local community and the country as a whole.

The Sanctuary of Fátima is home to several notable features, including the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Chapel of the Apparitions. The site also includes a large square, the Largo da Cova da Irra, and several museums, shops, and restaurants. Fátima's significance extends beyond its religious importance, as it has become a major tourist destination and a significant contributor to the local economy.

The apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Fátima have been extensively documented and studied, and the site has been the subject of numerous books, films, and other works. The sanctuary has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, and continues to be an important center of devotion and pilgrimage for Catholics from around the world.