Marian Pilgrimage 2026

The devotion of recent pontiffs toward Fátima has been especially significant, particularly that of Saint John Paul II, who after the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981, attributed his survival to the protection of the Virgin, stating that "a maternal hand" had deflected the bullet. Years later, the projectile was offered to the Sanctuary and placed in the crown of the image of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima.

Saint John Paul II made pilgrimages to Fátima on three occasions: 1982, 1991, and 2000. Other pontiffs joined him: Paul VI in 1967, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the apparitions; Benedict XVI in 2010; and Pope Francis in 2017, during the centenary of the Marian apparitions.

Among the places linked to the apparitions stands out the Chapel of the Apparitions, the spiritual center of the Sanctuary, where the Virgin appeared five times to the three little shepherds. Other spaces of great historical and spiritual value also stand out, such as Loca do Cabeço, the Arneiro Well, and Valinhos, linked to extraordinary events.

Valinhos and Aljustrel occupy a central place in the history of the apparitions of Fátima. In Valinhos and its surroundings, some of the most significant encounters with the Angel of Portugal and the Virgin Mary took place, events that deepened the message of prayer, conversion, and trust in God entrusted to the three little shepherds. These places, marked by the silence and simplicity of the countryside, preserve to this day the recollected character that accompanied those manifestations.

For its part, Aljustrel houses the original homes of Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta, humble dwellings that bear witness to the simple, family-oriented, and deeply faithful life of the visionaries. Visiting these spaces allows for a better understanding of the human context in which the apparitions took place and how, from a simple reality, a message emerged that would profoundly mark the history of the Church.

Salamanca, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest university cities in Europe. Of Roman origin, it reached its greatest splendor in the Middle Ages, establishing itself as a prominent center of knowledge, faith, and culture.

The city houses the Old and New Cathedrals, an exceptional ensemble that reflects the evolution of sacred art from Romanesque to Baroque, testimony to Salamanca's profound religious tradition. Founded in 1218, the University of Salamanca was a reference point for European thought, especially during the Golden Age, thanks to the work of the School of Salamanca, which was decisive in the development of international law and reflection on human dignity.

Today, Salamanca preserves its identity as a meeting place between faith, knowledge, and university life, offering visitors a cultural and spiritual experience of great richness.

The Virgin of Covadonga, affectionately known as La Santina, is one of the most important religious and spiritual symbols of Spain. Covadonga is closely linked to the Battle of Covadonga (722), considered by tradition as the beginning of the Reconquest, when Don Pelayo and a small group of Christians resisted Muslim power, giving rise to the Kingdom of Asturias.

Since then, the place has been associated not only with a historical event, but also with a providential vision in which Christian faith and trust in the Virgin Mary played a central role. Tradition attributes the victory to her intercession, venerated in the Holy Cave, which strengthened devotion to her throughout the centuries.

Over time, Covadonga became established as an important Marian sanctuary and spiritual center for all of Spain. The construction of the Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga in the 19th century reinforced its religious and symbolic relevance, making it today a place of pilgrimage where history, faith, and nature converge.

The Lakes of Enol are part of the Picos de Europa National Park, one of the oldest protected natural areas in Spain. Since ancient times, these lands have been inhabited and traversed by shepherds and settlers, who found in these mountains a place of sustenance, refuge, and coexistence with nature. Livestock activity, especially transhumance, has shaped the landscape and life of the area for centuries, leaving a profound mark on its cultural identity.

Over time, this natural environment became a symbol of northern Spain, not only for its extraordinary beauty, but also for its ecological and heritage value. Today, the Lakes of Enol represent a space where history, tradition, and nature intertwine, offering visitors the possibility of understanding the ancestral relationship between human beings and the natural environment, in a setting that invites respect, contemplation, and care for creation.

It is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in the world, famous for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. This sanctuary is a symbol of faith, healing, and hope for millions of pilgrims who come each year.

The Grotto of Massabielle, where the apparitions occurred, is the spiritual heart of the sanctuary, together with the basilicas that surround it. Many pilgrims come to the pools to immerse themselves in the waters considered miraculous or, simply, to drink from the fountains, following the message of penance and conversion that the Virgin left in this sacred place.

Tradition affirms that the Virgin Mary appeared in mortal flesh to the Apostle James in Zaragoza around 40 AD, leaving as a sign the Pillar upon which the sanctuary was built, making it the oldest Marian devotion in Christianity. Since then, Zaragoza has been established as an important center of devotion and pilgrimage.

Of Roman origin, known as Caesaraugusta, the city has witnessed the development of Christianity throughout the centuries. The current Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, built between the 17th and 18th centuries, is today a symbol of faith, history, and tradition, where Marian devotion remains alive and summons pilgrims from around the world.

Madrid houses important historic temples, such as the Almudena Cathedral, a symbol of the religious life of the capital, along with numerous convents and churches that reflect the city's profound Christian tradition. Throughout the centuries, Madrid became established as the political and cultural center of Spain, especially since the 16th century, when it was proclaimed the capital of the kingdom, which spurred its urban, artistic, and spiritual growth.

Its cultural heritage bears witness to various stages of Spanish history, visible in its palaces, squares, and museums, where faith, art, and daily life intertwine. Today, Madrid continues to be a meeting place between tradition and modernity, offering visitors a living vision of the country's history and its spiritual and cultural richness.