Sanctuary of the Apparitions

The Sanctuary of the Apparitions in Pontevedra is a modest convent and place of pilgrimage tied to one of the three child visionaries of Fatima.

What is this place?

This convent, home to the Dorothean Sisters in Pontevedra, is where Sister Lúcia dos Santos — one of the three shepherd children who reported the 1917 Marian apparitions at Fatima — later said the Child Jesus and the Virgin Mary appeared to her again in 1925 and 1926, this time as a professed nun. It was during these later apparitions that the devotion of the First Saturdays was reportedly revealed: a practice of confession, communion, and rosary prayer offered in reparation, still observed by Catholics worldwide today. The sanctuary occupies the site of the original convent and combines a working religious community with a pilgrimage chapel open to visitors.

Why Pontevedra, not Fatima?

Many visitors assume this is the same story as Fatima, and the confusion is understandable since the two are closely linked. But they are two distinct sites in two different countries: the original 1917 apparitions took place in Fatima, Portugal, while the later, private apparitions to Sister Lúcia — by then a nun — occurred in Pontevedra, in Spain's Galicia region. The Pontevedra sanctuary tells a continuation of the Fatima story, not a duplicate of it.

How do you get there?

The sanctuary sits in the heart of Pontevedra, a city in Galicia in northwestern Spain, close to the Atlantic coast and roughly midway between Vigo and Santiago de Compostela. Both cities make convenient starting points, with a drive or train ride of about 20 to 40 minutes. The nearest airport is Vigo-Peinador, around half an hour from central Pontevedra. Since the sanctuary is located within the historic city center, it's easiest to reach on foot once you're in town.

What will you see?

The convent and its adjoining chapel are furnished simply, in keeping with the Dorothean Sisters' way of life — there's none of the grandeur associated with larger Marian shrines. The chapel most closely tied to the apparitions is the main draw, offering pilgrims a quiet space for prayer and reflection. Most visitors come for religious reasons, drawn by the Fatima connection and the First Saturdays devotion, though the site also appeals to travelers interested in local Catholic history and Galician religious architecture.

When should you visit?

The sanctuary can be visited year-round, though it's worth checking opening hours in advance since it remains an active religious community rather than a museum. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable times to visit, when Galicia's mild climate is at its best and Pontevedra hasn't yet filled with the summer crowds heading to the nearby coast.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sanctuary of the Apparitions in Pontevedra the same as Fatima? No. They are two separate sites in two different countries. Fatima, in Portugal, is where the original 1917 apparitions occurred. Pontevedra, in Spain, is where Sister Lúcia later reported further apparitions in 1925–1926.

What happened at this site? According to Sister Lúcia dos Santos, the Child Jesus and the Virgin Mary appeared to her at the Pontevedra convent, revealing the devotion of the First Saturdays.

Can visitors tour the sanctuary? Yes, though as an active convent it keeps set visiting hours, so it's best to check before arriving.

How long does a visit take? Visiting the chapel and immediate surroundings usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on whether you stay for prayer or just a brief look around.