Hidden Gems of Fatima: Unearthing Lesser-Known Treasures

Discover hidden treasures of Fatima, exploring the spiritual core of Portugal off the beaten paths.

Intro

Visitors come on tour to Fatima from all over Portugal and other countries. People from various religious backgrounds come to marvel at the magnificent architecture and feel the spirituality of the place. According to the statistics, the city receives six million visitors annually.

 

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, one of the most well-known Catholic shrines and spiritual pilgrimage sites, is located here. The Basilica is located on a spot where the Virgin Mary spoke with three shepherd children in 1917. The Catholic Church recognized this phenomenon as a real miracle.

 

To the left of the Basilica is the small chapel of the Apparition of the Virgin Mary. It was built exactly where the children saw the Mother of God. The Church of the Holy Trinity is located on the other side of the square.

 

In addition to the popular attractions, the lesser-known ones also deserve careful consideration.

Coin Caves (Grutas da Moeda)

According to the legend, the wealthy man was traveling with a large sum of money in his purse when a group of robbers attacked him. But the man got into a fight, which ended in his collapse into a cave and death. Unfortunately for the robbers, the wallet fell there as well. The desired gold got lost as all the coins fell out. For this reason, the pit got the name Algar da Moeda (Coin Abyss).

 

Only forty years ago, in 1971, the Grutas da Moeda cave was discovered by people. A gap appeared beneath the bushes as the two hunters followed the fox through the forest. They quickly concluded that the fox had hidden there. After following the passage, they arrived at a stunning cave. These hunters explored the cave on their own over the next few months. The cave has become well-known as a crucial site since they announced their discovery to the public. The research into the cave is still being carried out, and today, visitors also can see this beautiful natural gem.

 

Travel Tip: Don’t miss your chance to visit the Centro de Interpretacao Científico-Ambiental (CICA) on the Fatima day trip, a combination of an educational center and an exhibition of minerals and fossils. 

 

Location: R. das Grutas da Moeda, 2495-028 São Mamede, Portugal

 

Hungarian Cavalry (Calvario Hungaro)

The two tallest sites on the Way of the Cross pilgrimage route are the Hungarian Calvary and the Chapel of St. Stephen of Hungary. The inspiration for the construction of the Hungarian Calvary came from two Hungarian priests, Elias Kardos and Luis Kondor. They were deeply committed to the Message of Fatima and saw in it a "light" from God for the people of Hungary, who were suffering under the communist dictatorship and the persecution of the Church after World War II.

 

The two Hungarian priests understood that Our Lady's promises in the Fatima message also applied to the Hungarian people. This inspired the concept of building a 14-station Calvary in Fatima with the help of the Hungarian people.

 

This serene, fascinating, and alluring location encourages mental serenity. The rocky, undulating ground and the surrounding holm oak and olive trees promote spirituality, faith, and introspection.

 

Travel Tip: The ideal seasons for a trip to Fatima are spring or fall when the weather is pleasant enough to walk the 3.5-kilometer distance.

 

Location: Via Sacra, 2495-301 Fátima, Portugal 

Olive Oil Museum (Museu do Azeite)

The Olive Oil Museum demonstrates the region’s history of olive oil production. The museum, located just a short walk from the Shrine, is a hidden gem that will appeal to history lovers and food enthusiasts. This museum isn’t just about religious pilgrimages. It celebrates Portugal’s rich culinary heritage, specifically its love of olives.

 

When visitors step inside, they become part of the old-school life, and examine the age-old methods of producing olive oil.

 

Fatima Olive Oil Museum expresses excellent respect for local agriculture and tradition. Visitors should sample local production of “Azeite de Fatima,” which can be bought at the museum store. The Fatima Olive Oil Museum is a hidden treasure and a must-visit spot on Fatima, Portugal, tour for curious tourists.

 

Travel Tip: A section of the museum is dedicated to promoting regional goods like cheese, honey, and wine. There is also an area for olive wine tastings. 

 

Location: R. da Cooperativa 58, 2495-554 Fatima, Portugal

Natural Monument of Dinosaur Footprints in Ourem

Limestone mining began in the 1990s near Fatima. The workers were forced to halt as they encountered odd remnants as the rock was gradually exposed. Upon reaching the location, researchers identified the remnants as the prints of massive herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs. Giants strolled over the crest close to 170 million years ago. Now, this place is a small open-air museum.

 

The Jurassic Garden, which opened in 2002, features flora from the Mesozoic era, also known as the "age of dinosaurs." In addition to limestone slabs holding over a thousand additional tracks, 20 tracks contain the largest and oldest sauropods, which lived 175 million years ago. With a massive body that could reach 30 meters long and weigh up to 70 tons, a small head, and an elongated neck, sauropods were herbivorous quadrupedal dinosaurs. It can be fitted into Fatima day trip.

 

Travel tip: There is an interactive zone with the modern technical equipment (large screens, animation). There is a place for relaxation, where a film about the evolution of life on Earth is shown on a large panel.

 

Location: Estr. de Fatima, 2490-216 Ourem, Portugal

Centro de Interpretacao da Batalha de Aljubarrota

The Center for the Reconstruction of the Battle of Aljubarrote (CIBA), a project of the Battle of Aljubarrote Foundation, seeks to preserve and investigate the historical legacy associated with the events at Sao Jorge Field.

 

Housed in Sao Jorge, the exhibition takes its cue from the innovative idea of combining entertainment and education and has four sections that provide visitors with extensive knowledge about the historic Battle of Aljubarrota. The Battle of Aljubarrota, the historical background of the fight, and the archaeological discoveries made on the battlefield are the key topics of the exhibition. You can also familiarize yourself with the historical recreation of the Battle and its preludes in the hall. The third section interprets the battle in different ways, drawing from literary and scientific works on the subject. 

 

It takes about fifty minutes to complete a tour of the Reconstruction Center. It takes roughly two hours to fully explore the Center and field of the Sao Jorge complex.

 

Travel Tip: See the "Field of Sao Jorge," the final section. It's located outside the center's territory and includes places that played a decisive role in the battle's outcome.

 

Location: Av. D. Nuno Alvares Pereira, nº 120, São Jorge 2480-062 Calvaria de Cima

Summarize

The visit to Fatima from Lisbon is one of the obligatory points of the excursion program in Portugal. Everyone who comes here for the first time should set aside a day to visit the shrine. The abundance and luxury of the cultural and religious heritage here can amaze the imagination.

 

The trip to Fatima will be interesting for all family members, including adults and little ones. Concerns about those who have already come here before and think that they have seen it all wrong. Many hidden attractions are difficult to visit only on a one-day tour. 

 

However, if you have a little more time in your 1-day Fatima trip, then you should definitely consider the locations described above. At least some of them will allow you to expand your impression of the region and give you a whole spectrum of unknown exciting impressions. Portugal has numerous hidden treasures, and by spending a little more time exploring them, you can witness them.