Sculpture of Our Lady of Fátima, Religious sculpture in Cova da Iria, Portugal
The Sculpture of Our Lady of Fátima is a wooden statue carved from Cedrela fissilis wood located at the Chapel of Apparitions in the Cova da Iria sanctuary. The work was created by Portuguese artist José Ferreira Thedim and depicts Mary wearing a traditional white robe with sky blue details.
The statue was created in 2000 and marks the location where three shepherd children reported seeing apparitions of Mary in 1917. The sculpture was commissioned as an artistic response to the spiritual events that transformed this place into a major pilgrimage destination.
The carving represents Portuguese religious artistry through its detailed craftsmanship and traditional white robe, reflecting how the community expresses devotion to Mary. Pilgrims view the statue as a visual connection to the spiritual events that shaped this place of faith.
The sculpture is accessible year-round at the Chapel of Apparitions and can be best observed during early morning hours when crowds are smaller. The chapel is located in the central part of the sanctuary, making it easy to find within the larger pilgrimage complex.
The sculpture was crafted based on specific details described by Sister Lúcia, one of the three shepherd children who witnessed the original Marian apparition in 1917. This connection allows visitors to link the carved image directly to eyewitness accounts of the spiritual events that happened at this very location.
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