In Fatima
I first visited Fatima in April 1990. There was no doubt I wanted to visit it again during our most recent visit to Portugal. It had been 28 years after all and while I delight in the idea that I had been, I really have vague memories of the trip. I knew what the the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was like but I could not remember how the inside looked.
Traveling to Fatima was a quick bus ride from Lisbon. It was fast and comfy. As to be expected, there were many changes to the area from my first and only visit up until this summer. For one, there was a building, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity opened in 2007, a huge one whose architecture and design was modern and very minimalist. I also saw a medium sized chapel called the Chapel of the Apparitions where the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared. All I remember of the place was the main building with the church in the middle. I also remember the huge vacant and paved lot in front.
I am a Catholic and although I am not very religious, I like going to religious sites especially with history like the Fatima.
As soon as we got out of the bus and left the bus terminal, we simply took the road in front and turned right. It was a straight walk to the world famous site. While there were some people offering guide services, we didn't avail of any. There wasn't really any need to. Our guide book was more than sufficient.
The Sanctuary of the Our Lady of Fatima! Sure was nice to see her again!
The very modern, Basilica of the Holy Trinity, right across the old one was the first thing we saw upon our arrival in the area. Since it was drizzling, Marc and I actually took cover here until the light rain stopped.
This was one of the main entrances to the modern basilica. We went indoors and checked this place out towards the end of our visit here.
Here's a view of the lot in front of the old Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary. The modern Basilica of the Holy Trinity is at the very back and the small chapel of the Apparitions where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared is on the right side.
A closer view of the Chapel of the Apparitions where many people congregated to pray to the Virgin Mary.
This is the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to the peasant children, Lucia and her cousins.
Here it is! The Fatima I remember. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Another view of the facade of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary
I wasn't going to leave the place this time without pictures of myself in front and inside the basilica.
To enter the basilica in the middle of the wide narrow building, we entered through from the left side.
This is how the walls of the building were decorated. If Im not mistaken they were religious scenes very similar to the twelve stations of the cross.
The ceiling right above the main altar
A full view of the main altar inside the Basilica of the Lady of the Rosary
A closer view of the main altar
Another photo op of course! Me inside the old basilica with a distant view of the main altar in the background
The wall right above where one of Lucia's cousins is buried.
The other grave site of Lucia's male cousin.
Me in front of the Fatima's Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary. Taken as we were leaving.
The skies had finally cleared when we left. The cool air sure was a wonderful respite from the heat of Madrid where we were just a few days earlier.
There's the Basilica of the Holy Trinity once again.
I was surprised to see this souvenir store still standing. I saw it last 1990. You can just imagine how surprised I was to see it again. I remember it vividly because my picture in front of it is the only picture I have of my very first visit to Fatima. See that vintage picture below!!!
Here's the old picture from 1990.
This is the most recent picture in front of the same store so many years after.
Here's the modern Basilica of the Holy Trinity right across the main building. It was extremely spacious and minimalist inside.
Marc took this picture without me knowing it. I only saw it as we uploaded our pictures on our computers.
Here I was taking a picture of the main altar.
These were the pews inside the modern basilica.