Mira De Aire Caves And The Sanctuary Of Fátima
Continuing on with our road trip exploring Central Portugal we arrived at the impressive Mira De Aire Caves (Grutas Mira de Aire) near Fatima.They are the largest underground caves in Portugal, formed during the Middle Jurassic Age more than 150 million years ago. The caves were only found in 1947, and in 2010were elected one of the “Seven Natural Wonders” of Portugal.
The tour starts with a short film explaining all about the history of how this cave system was found. We then followed our guide underground, descending 683 (about 110 meters/340 feet) man made steps into a fascinating world of strange mineral formations such as stalagmites (grow up from the cave floor formed by mineral deposits dripping onto the floor of the cave) and stalactites (icicle-shaped mineral formations that hang down from the cave ceiling). The temperature inside the caves is constant all year round at around 17 degrees C.
Stalactites mineral deposits come down from the cave ceiling
Here both stalactites and stalagmite formations
The guide spoke both in English and in Portuguese, so for me being able to understand both languages It meant I got twice as much information as the rest…maybe not. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour… nature as always proves to be fascinating and after so many historic sites it was refreshing to do something a little different. The cave galleries were huge, we never felt claustrophobic at all.
At the end of the tour we were all relieved that tracing our steps back would not be necessary and so we boarded a lift to whisk us back to the surface.
Brian and I at Mira de Aire Caves
The caves are located in the small town of Porto de Mós, Leiria, just about one hour and half away from Portugal’s Capital of Lisbon and only a very short 15 minutes distance from the Sanctuary of Fatima, where we headed next. If visiting the caves by car or by motorhome there is a free carpark on the site.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima
One of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world, its story of miracles started in May 1917 when three young shepherds (aged 7,9 and 10) claimed to have encountered the Virgin Mary at Cova da Iria near Fátima, Portugal . The oldest girl was called Lúcia dos Santos and the other two were her cousins Francisco and Jacinta. The children reported that the Virgin Mary told them that she would appear again to them on the thirteenth day of every month for the following six months.
The last apparition on 13th of October 1917 was the most significative and it is known in the catholic world as “the day that the sun danced”, apparently witnessed by 60,000 people. The reported apparitions were very controversial and attracted a lot of criticism from both local secular and religious authorities. The Bishop of Leiria-Fátima Jose Alves Correia da Silva declared the events worthy of belief on 13 October 1930.
Francisco died at his home in April 1919, aged 10 and Jacinta died at the hospital in February 1920 aged 9. Both from the flu pandemic that claimed many lives worldwide. They are buried at the Sanctuary of Fátima, and their mother claimed that they had predicted their early deaths.
Lúcia, entered convent life and continued to report private holy visions throughout her life. She died in February 2005 aged 97.
Independent of religious beliefs, and miracles apart, the Sanctuary of Fátima is a fascinating place to visit.
It was humbling to watch the devotion of visitors with many approaching the Sanctuary on their knees
One of the most important of Christianity’s pilgrimage sites in Europe, it is huge. We did not expect it would be so big, with two basilicas and a very large square where many thousands of devotees can congregate.
The Sanctuary of Fátima is popular all year round, but the most important gatherings happen on the thirteenth day of every month from May to October. With May 13th and October 13th being the most important pilgrimages, when about a million will be attending vigils and processions at the site.
When travelling away from Fátima towards our next destination we encountered many pilgrims walking down the roads making their way towards the Sanctuary, possibly for the 13th of May celebrations.
We stayed at the large free parking area, just behind the Sanctuary (GPS N39.6341 W8.6711) for one night, which enabled us to visit the site. Church bells ring regularly, but otherwise it was not a particularly noisy site.
I always find it fascinating to explore caves. I do my best not to think about the potential of caving in and such. I had no idea these caves existed and so close to Lisbon too.
As to Fatima, my Grandmother spoke of it often. If relatives or friends made the pilgrimage they would bring her holy water from the site which she treasured. I’m surprised by the large development but considering how many people visit it does make sense.
Sue, like you I try to block out any thoughts getting trapped underground or something like that. I would not enter small caves where you have to crawl or squeeze yourself through narrow passages…not for me. These caves were huge. The Sanctuary of Fatima surprised me…how large. But like you said, they often have to accommodate over a million people. My Grandmother was a devout Catholic and like yours very much into her holly water. Thank you for your lovely comment.
Beautiful narrative of two sites that seem to be worth a visit. You have definitely wet my appetite. My list of places to visit is getting very big thanks to your blog Gilda.😜
Vir, Portugal has so many great places to visit, the challenge for us was to decide on a best itinerary. I am glad that the blog is giving you few new ideas. The more I travel the bigger is my wanderlust and the wish list just gets longer. Thank you for your comment sister 🙂
Definitely reminds me of the Nerja caves in Malaga. I find pilgrimages fascinating. I don’t have a lot of faith and it’s amazing to me that people are so devoted. It makes me wish that they would be as devoted to helping the poor, making the world a better place, etc..etc.. Lovely area though, and l think l would like to see it :-).
KemKem, I can sometimes get claustrophobic in small caves, but these were so large that it was not a problem. Next time I visit Malaga I will look out for the Nerja Caves. I would love to do the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage, walking across Spain. Not for religious reasons, but more as a challenge to myself.
I’ll be honest, I did not know Fatima was such a large site, but thinking about it, I guess that makes sense. Also, I love going to caves, so that is a stop I would have made too 🙂
Caves are fascinating, but at the same time they can be a little scary…going underground always feels strangely dangerous 🙂 The Sanctuary of Fatima is huge, with so many pilgrims making their way there throughout the year I guess they had to expand it more and more. It is definitely worth a visit independently of religious beliefs.
Gilda, I know you have done a lot of research and driven a long way to see the historic sites and natural wonders of central Portugal. In this way, your travels are a sort of pilgrimage. Do you get a “spiritual” sensation when you finally arrive at a place you have longed to see?
I think the picture of you and Brian in the cave would make a great Christmas card. It’s a beauty!
Joe, perhaps in many ways it is a spiritual journey, certainly a very emotional journey for me. I have been dreaming of travelling extensively for a very long time. Now that is finally happening I get many “pinch me moments”. Thank you for your kind compliment on the cave picture 🙂
Yes, that photo of you at the caves is definitely a beauty. 🙂 🙂 My Polish family drove all the way from Krakow to the Algarve once, just for a few days, and on the return drive spent a night at Fatima. It was very special to them.
Jo, thank you so much. The cave visit was great, we are big fans of the natural world and caves are just so fascinating. Fatima is a very interesting place, perhaps not too far for you to visit from the Algarve? Although I think you would probably need to stay at least one night, a bit too far for a day trip. How lovely that your Polish family have come to visit you in the Algarve and driving all the way from Krakow must have taken them quite few days? I am glad they enjoyed Fatima, I certainly did 🙂
Always love cave systems and the stalactites and stalagmites, though one of my fears is being stuck underground. Did the Cango Caves in South Africa a few years back, still the most incredible cave system I’ve seen.
Nice following your travels Gilda, you guys are seeing a lot!
Frank, there is something very compelling about visiting these underground places and yet there is always a little niggly worry in the back of our minds…what if? I hope to visit South Africa in the not too distant future. For now we are loving touring Europe with a motorhome. We have been travelling for almost 4 months now, the longest trip we have ever done and we have only just scratched the surface of what there is to see in Europe. We will be heading to Scandinavia next, thanks for following along.
Your posts are making me really want to visit Portugal. It is kind of crazy to think that a cave could be there for 100 million years and only be discovered in the 40s. Makes you wonder how many other undiscovered caves are out there.
Jeff, good point…how many cave systems are still undiscovered, perhaps right underneath our feet? We have really enjoyed Portugal, it is quite a budget friendly country and once you leave the popular Algarve behind you will find what Portugal is really about.
I love cave tours and have tremendous admiration for the courage of the first people who explore these places! As for the appearance of the Virgin of Fatima (aren’t they always virgins?), I remember reading the story when I was in junior high and found the sighting fascinating. At that time, I had no idea that I’d one day be living in the country where this story originated from. Thanks for including the history of what happened to the children. Anita
Anita, caves are fascinating…if a little scary. The first explorers were incredibly brave, like you I am full of admiration for their great courage. I enjoyed visiting Fatima and finding out more about the 3 children who reported seeing the Virgen of Fatima. The stories of miracles etc is fascinating…even if thinking logically it is hard to be a believer. Your move to Portugal was something you probably could have never predicted, but how fantastic that it has happened and it has been so successful. I think sometimes things are just meant to be? I hope you are enjoying your travels in Northern Spain 🙂