I am planning a trip to Potugal and would like to visit Fatima on May 13 which I understand is the biggest day of the year there.

I would appreciate some comments regarding the need to stay over, its proximity to Lisbon and what to prepare for.

Any help you can give is appreciated.

Fred

It's about two hours by bus or train/bus from Lisbon with fairly good service.

www.cp.pt for train info - Fatima train station however i think is several miles from town, with buses

direct buses from Lisbon may be better

If you have a car it's even shorter i believe time wise.

Thanks for the info.
Fred

Fatima who?

Its about a 2 hour drive to Fatima from Lisbon. train station is well away from the town so i agree bus would be better if you dont want to hire a car.

Fatima is a city, like if you were going to Porto, what do you mean by Fatima who?

Saint Fatima of course the one who performs miracles here

Saint Fatima ? I hope you're joking

There is no St. Fatima.
Among Roman Catholics like me, that's Our Lady of Fatima. Mary, mother of Jesus, made several apparitions before 3 shepherds in the town of Fatima.

Fatima is also a common female name among Muslims, after Fatima (Fatimah) Zahra, Prophet Muhammad's daughter.
The Portuguese town of Fatima is named after a Moorish princess by the same name. It is, as stated, the site of Marian apparitions, known as Our Lady of Fatima. It's also used as a female Christian name by some Catholics.

Check with Our Lady of Fatima Church in Lisbon: the Ladies group there sponsors charter bus trips to Fatima the first Saturday of every month. They are almost certain to have some specials on 13 May.

The Church is just off Avda. Berna: 2-3 blocks from Metro Campo Pequenho on Avda. Republica. There's a Religious Articles shop on the corner across the street from the Church. The proprietor may be able to provide more info.

I, The Great and Powerful Thingorjus, have been to Fatima, Portugal. I found it extremely eerie and touristy at the same time. There are trees behind the church that emit the most wonderful smell.

The gift shops in town sell BVM glow-in-the-dark heated towel racks and Infant of Prague toothpick holders. I also found a painting of Christ that reminded me of a drag queen I once employed for a Todd Oldham fashion show in Bryant Park. Sort of a quasi-Sylvia Sidney/Carly Simon look, sweetie darling. I will never forget that painting--it haunts my dreams.

Thinny