Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

I had a filling seafood lunch at Apollo Caffe in Fatima. I think it was time for me wrap up this visit to Fatima. I must admit that I didn’t really feel Fatima. It was almost like I was just going through the motions of visiting the place. Sure, there was a Chapel of the Apparition which is arguably the most important place in the entire complex. But there were a lot of people and it felt almost like a theme park but not quite. If Disneyland has a centerpiece in Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, then I think the centerpiece of Fatima is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Visitors to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima would undoubtedly pass through this structure first. I actually did but instead of going in the building, I passed through it and went around the complex first. In other words, I planned on visiting the basilica the last. That is immediately seen is how tall the church is. The basilica is easily the tallest structure around here. It is white all over presumably because the church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima enshrined at the central tower. There seems to be a covered stage in front of the basilica. I think this is where the priests would celebrate mass especially if there are a too many people for them to fit inside the basilica.

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