Povoação de Aljustrel

In this second exploration of Aljustrel, we shift our focus from the domestic structures to the spiritual topography of the village. As a scholar of religious phenomena, I want to draw your attention to how the 'ordinary'…

Before we move into the hidden areas, stop here at the exterior wall of the Marto house. This is a site of immense photographic and historical significance. …

We now enter the area behind the house of Lucia, a space that was once a functional vegetable garden and animal enclosure. It was here, in the summer of 1916, that the children were resting near the well when they experienced the…

The Poço do Arneiro, which we viewed earlier, deserves a deeper theological analysis. In many religious traditions, the 'well' is a place of encounter and revelation, and Fatima is no exception. …

Walking along the main street of Aljustrel, we must consider the social context of 1917. The village was part of the Fatima parish, a deeply traditional Catholic area in a country that had recently become a republic and was…

As we navigate the village, we see the 'Lojas' or shops that sell religious items. For the scholar of pilgrimage, this commercial aspect is a fascinating study in how sacred sites are sustained. …

As we move toward the edge of the historic village, you will notice houses that look significantly different from the shepherds' homes. These are 'residential also beautiful homes,' as described by modern visitors, representing…

We conclude our second tour of Aljustrel with a reflection on the 'spirit of the stones.' This village has managed to hold onto its soul despite the millions of feet that have walked its paths. The houses of Lucia, Francisco, and…