The original chapel was bombed in 1922 by anti-clerical activists but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.
The statue of Our Lady of Fátima was carved in 1920 according to the descriptions provided by the visionary Lúcia dos Santos.
A bullet from Pope John Paul II’s 1981 assassination attempt was set into the crown of the statue in 1989.
The chapel's roof is supported by pillars, maintaining its traditional open-air design to accommodate the massive crowds that gather in the square.
The Cova da Iria, the site’s location, was originally a grazing pasture for the shepherd children's flocks.
Millions of pilgrims visit this specific site annually, with peak attendance occurring on the 13th of each month from May to October.
The Chapel of the Apparitions is the heart of the Sanctuary of Fátima, built on the exact spot where three shepherd children reportedly witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917. The current structure is a simple, open-sided chapel erected in 1919 to replace the original makeshift shelter. It houses the statue of Our Lady of Fátima, which includes a bullet fired during the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II placed within its crown. The chapel sits in the center of a massive limestone paved esplanade capable of holding hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. It remains the focal point for all liturgical celebrations within the Sanctuary complex. The site is globally recognized as one of the most important Catholic Marian pilgrimage destinations.
From the raised steps of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary looking down toward the chapel, capturing both the shrine and the scale of the plaza.
Bring a portable stool if you plan on attending a long service, as seating in the plaza is limited.
Visit the small 'ex-voto' collection nearby to see items left by pilgrims in gratitude for answered prayers.
Expect large crowds on the 12th and 13th of every month; arrive early if you wish to be near the chapel structure.
Avoid visiting on the 13th of the month between May and October unless you are prepared for extremely high density crowds and significant traffic delays.
Maintain silence as this is a place of active prayer; modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected.
