Fátima in central Portugal is the location of one of Catholicism's holiest shrines—and a religious tourism hot spot! Every year, thousands of Christian pilgrims descend on this unassuming town to celebrate events that occurred in 1917, when three children purportedly witnessed visions of the Virgin Mary in nearby hills. That is, every year except this one, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, you can still get the full picture by browsing this gallery and seeing why the faithful flock to Fátima.

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Visions of faith - The town of Fátima in central Portugal owes its worldwide fame to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported by three little shepherd children—Lúcia dos Santos (left), along with her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto—on May 13, 1917.

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Gathering at Cova da Iria - The children purportedly witnessed visions of a woman known as Our Lady of Fátima near Cova da Iria. The visions are said to have continued to appear until October 13 of the same year. By then, hundreds had gathered in response to a prophecy made by the children, and to witness an event called the Miracle of the Sun (pictured).

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Odd weather, or divine intervention? - On that day, people claimed to have seen extraordinary solar activity—a phenomenon they associated with miracles that would be performed by the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Fátima) on that date.

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Annual celebrations - The tradition goes that thousands of pilgrims converge on Fátima in May and October to celebrate the visions.

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Out on a limb - Many hundreds more handicapped, injured, and seriously ill people typically arrive on a daily basis from all over the world to seek a cure, or await a miracle.

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Religious tourism - In total, Fátima receives between 6 and 8 million pilgrims a year, making the destination one of the most important international destinations of religious tourism.

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The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima - The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima is the collective name for a group of Catholic religious buildings and structures, the most impressive being the landmark Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

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Church of Santissima Trindade - Fátima's newest building is the Church of Santissima Trindade. Pictured is the statue of Our Lady of Fátima being carried through the church.

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Pilgrim's progress - Typically during the weeks leading up to the anniversary dates in May and October, thousands of pilgrims walk to Fátima from within Portugal and beyond, resulting in tired and blistered feet for many.

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Exhausting - Arriving at Fátima this way requires considerable effort, and most pilgrims take time out to rest and recover.

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Lonely road - Arrive early enough and it can seem like you have the whole sanctuary for yourself.

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Gathering of the faithful - Pilgrims gather in the square that fronts the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. This outdoor concourse is larger than St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

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Chapel of the Apparitions - Situated within the square is the Chapel of the Apparitions, which stands near the location at Cova da Iria where the three children are said to have seen the visions. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.5)

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Final approach - After the long walk to reach the holy shrine, many pilgrims choose to approach the chapel on their knees in a demonstration of penitence.

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Daytime ceremony - Daytime ceremonies see the statue of Our Lady of Fátima taken through the square between rows of devotees.

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Devotion - The world devotion through Our Lady of Fátima attracts millions of Christian pilgrims.

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World worship - The global dimension of the pilgrimage is apparent by the many different nationalities attending mass in the Sanctuary of Fátima.

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Divine destination - Here, worshippers from China wave flags in the air as they pose for photos in front of the basilica.

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Let us pray - A priest holds a prayer book during a procession at the holy shrine.

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Pious and devout - During a procession, a pilgrim receives a consecrated wafer from a priest. The annual pilgrimages are pious and devout affairs.

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Candlelit vigil - The visual highlight of the annual pilgrimage is without a doubt the candlelit vigil.

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An illuminated mass of people - Devotees young and old, rich or poor, gather to pray quietly, their faces illuminated by flickering candlelight.

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Double devotion - Twin sister pilgrims tucked up in a baby cart hold their candle lanterns during the vigil.

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Our Lady of Fátima - A high point of the vigil is the carrying of the statue of Our Lady of Fátima through a sea of worshippers.

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Midnight nap - The vigil lasts well into the night—far too long for some!

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An occasion for all ages - A young devout couple share a moment together as the vigil continues.

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Impressive - An elderly couple inside the Church of Santissima Trindade are clearly pleased with the interior design.

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Profit - Over the years, Fátima has benefited enormously from revenue generated by the sale of religious souvenirs.

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Healing powers? - Pilgrims light candles at the shrine. Some devotees offer wax limbs in the hope of relieving maladies like rheumatism or skin complaints.

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Religious fervor - For many, the occasion is quite simply overwhelming.

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A day out -

The town of Fátima and its famous sanctuary are worth visiting any time of the year, if for nothing else to simply admire the basilica, designed incidentally by a Dutchman, Gerardus Samuel van Krieken.

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Treading the road to Fátima -