May 13, 1917. Cova da Iria, Portugal. Three shepherd children. And a light the world has never forgotten.
Lúcia dos Santos was ten years old. Francisco Marto was nine. Jacinta Marto was just seven. They were tending sheep in a small valley called Cova da Iria, near the village of Aljustrel, in the parish of Fátima, when they saw something that would change their lives—and those of millions of people after them.
A luminous figure, brighter than the sun, introduced herself as "the Lady of the Rosary." She asked the children to return to the same spot on the 13th of each month, for six months. And so it was.
Today, over a century later, Fátima is one of the most visited Marian shrines in the world: over 6 million pilgrims journey to Portugal each year to pray before the Chapel of the Apparitions. Faith has not stopped. It has multiplied.
The Six Apparitions of Fátima: What Really Happened
The Fátima apparitions occurred between May 13 and October 13, 1917. Each apparition carried a specific message, entrusted to the three shepherd children in simple yet profound words.
May 13, 1917 — The first apparition. The Lady asked the children to pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace in the world and the end of World War I. She promised to reveal who she was and what she wanted in the final apparition.
June 13, 1917 — The second apparition. Our Lady announced that Francisco and Jacinta would soon be taken to heaven. Lúcia, however, would have to remain on earth to spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
July 13, 1917 — The third apparition. It was here that the Lady revealed to the children the three secrets of Fátima: a vision of hell, the prophecy of World War II and the conversion of Russia, and the mysterious third secret—made public by the Vatican only in 2000.
August 19, 1917 — The extraordinary apparition. The children were arrested by the mayor of Vila Nova de Ourém, who tried to extract the secrets from them. Released, they received an extraordinary apparition on August 19, not the 13th, in a place called Valinhos.
September 13, 1917 — The fifth apparition. The crowd accompanying the children now numbered in the thousands. The Lady again asked them to pray the Rosary and announced the miracle for the following month.
October 13, 1917 — The last apparition and the Miracle of the Sun. The most extraordinary day of all.
Six months of apparitions. Six messages. A story that still today is impossible to tell without feeling something stir within.
For those who wish to keep this story alive every day, the sculpture of the Apparition of Our Lady with the Three Shepherd Children captures this very moment: the Lady, the three children, the light. Hand-carved in Val Gardena, it is a work that tells the story without the need for words. ⭐ Bestseller
The Miracle of the Sun: the day that shook the world
It was a morning of heavy rain. Over 70,000 people—believers and skeptics, journalists and farmers, doctors and intellectuals—had gathered in Cova da Iria to witness the miracle promised by the Lady.
Then, suddenly, the clouds parted. The sun appeared as an opaque disc, not dazzling. It began to "dance" in the sky, spinning on itself, changing color—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. Then it seemed to plummet towards the earth, in a spiral of heat and light.
It lasted about ten minutes. When it ended, the wet clothes were dry. The muddy ground was dry. And thousands of witnesses—many of whom had come there to debunk the story of the three children—were on their knees, in tears.
The Miracle of the Sun of Fátima was reported by major Portuguese newspapers the same day. No scientific explanation has ever been universally accepted. It remains one of the most documented and controversial events in modern religious history.
"I saw the sun spinning like a wheel of fire. I saw the colors change. I felt the heat. I wasn't a believer. Now I don't know what to think."
— Testimony of a journalist present, October 1917
That day, Our Lady revealed herself as Our Lady of the Rosary—white mantle, golden crown, hands joined. The image that the whole world has recognized ever since. Dolfi's Our Lady of Fátima Fiberglass Statue Hand-Painted reproduces this iconography with fidelity and artisanal quality: natural colors, long-lasting, suitable for indoors and outdoors. ⭐ Most popular
The Three Secrets of Fátima
The secrets of Fátima are perhaps the most fascinating and discussed aspect of the entire story. Revealed by Our Lady to the three shepherd children on July 13, 1917, they were kept by Sister Lúcia for decades.
The first secret is a vision of hell: the children saw a sea of fire and souls falling into it, amidst cries and despair. Our Lady explained that these were the souls of sinners.
The second secret is a prophecy: if people did not convert, a war even more terrible than the First would break out. Russia would spread its errors throughout the world. But in the end, the Immaculate Heart of Mary would triumph.
The third secret is the most mysterious. Lúcia wrote it down in 1944 at the bishop's command, but the document remained sealed until 2000, when John Paul II—who attributed his survival of the 1981 assassination attempt to Our Lady of Fátima—authorized its publication. The text describes a "bishop dressed in white" who falls under a hail of gunfire. The Vatican interpreted it as a prophecy about the assassination attempt on the Pope.
For those seeking something unique and intimate, the Relief Bust of Our Lady of Fátima in Wood is a work of rare elegance: Our Lady set in an oval niche, hand-carved in maple or Italian olive wood, available from 6 to 15 cm. Perfect on a shelf, a nightstand, or as a precious gift to keep close. 🎁 Ideal as a gift
Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta: The Three Shepherd Children of Fátima
The shepherd children of Fátima were not heroes. They were ordinary children, sons and daughters of poor peasant families in rural Portugal. Yet their testimony withstood interrogations, pressure, threats, and years of skepticism.
Francisco Marto died on April 4, 1919, at just ten years old, from Spanish flu. Before he died, he said: "I am going to heaven. Lúcia, you must do what the Lady said."
Jacinta Marto, his sister, followed him on February 20, 1920, at nine years old. She was the youngest, the most sensitive. John Paul II beatified her in 2000; Pope Francis canonized her in 2017. She is the youngest saint in modern history.
Lúcia dos Santos entered a convent and lived until 2005, reaching 97 years of age. It was she who wrote the memoirs of the apparitions and guarded the secrets for almost a century.
Three children. Three extraordinary destinies. A story that still moves everyone who hears it.
Dolfi has dedicated a sculpture to each of them:
Lúcia — Hands joined, olive green veil, rosary with golden cross: the guardian of the secrets of Fátima immortalized in hand-carved and hand-painted maple wood. Available in multiple sizes, from tabletop versions to monumental sculptures. 🎁 Ideal as a gift
Francisco — The little shepherd boy with a satchel on his shoulder and the lamp of faith in his hand: a serene and thoughtful gaze, warm brown and beige garments, every detail carved with the precision that only the Gardena tradition can provide.
Jacinta — The youngest of the three seers, depicted with a small lamp in one hand and a rosary in the other. Her dark skirt with a golden border and reddish-brown veil make her immediately recognizable—a work of rare delicacy. 🏆 Collector's item
The Sanctuary of Fátima Today
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima is located in Fátima, in the district of Santarém, Portugal. It is one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in the world, along with Lourdes, Guadalupe, and Medjugorje.
The complex includes the Chapel of the Apparitions, built on the exact spot where Our Lady appeared to the three children, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary (consecrated in 1953), and the modern Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity (inaugurated in 2007), which can accommodate up to 9,000 faithful.
The most important dates for pilgrimage to Fátima are May 13 and October 13. On these occasions, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world gather to pray, often traversing the last stretch on their knees.
Anyone who has been to Fátima knows that the place leaves a mark. Those who haven't yet been dream of doing so. For both, the Carved Plaque of the Basilica of Our Lady of Fátima is a way to carry that place with them—hand-carved in Val Gardena, with the care that only authentic craftsmanship can provide. 🎁 Ideal as a pilgrimage souvenir
Our Lady of Fátima: the image the world recognizes
Our Lady of Fátima is depicted unmistakably: a white mantle with golden edges, a regal crown, hands joined in prayer with a rosary between her fingers. It is the image approved by the Church based on the descriptions of Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta, and it has become one of the most widespread Marian icons in the world.
It is found in churches, homes, and pilgrimage sites on every continent. It is a symbol of peace, protection, and hope that transcends cultures and generations.
Dolfi's masters respect this iconography with precision—and enrich it with the artisanal quality of Val Gardena. The Wooden Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fátima is the timeless classic: white mantle, golden crown, hands joined. Hand-carved, every detail is an act of artisanal love. ⭐ Bestseller
For those seeking something even more precious, the version with a crown and golden details is an unforgettable gift. 🎁 Perfect as a gift
Why choose a Dolfi artisan sculpture
There's a huge difference between a mass-produced statue and a sculpture crafted by a master artisan. That difference is immediately visible. And it feels even more profound over time.
For generations, the masters of Dolfi have worked with Val Gardena wood using traditional tools and a patience that the modern world has almost forgotten. Each statue is born from a single block, hand-carved, finished with natural colors. No two pieces are identical. Every chisel mark is part of the work.
Please note: our sculptures are produced in limited series. Each piece requires weeks of artisanal work—when a model is sold out, waiting times can be long. If you've seen something that caught your eye, don't wait.
The gift that lasts longer than anything else
Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation. Wedding anniversary. A significant birthday. A pilgrimage to Fátima. Or simply a gesture of affection for no specific occasion.
A Dolfi sculpture of Our Lady of Fátima is not just any gift. It is something that remains—on the shelf, on the nightstand, in the heart of the recipient. Something that is handed down, that tells a story, that keeps a faith alive.
No need to wait for the right moment. The right moment is now.
Every Dolfi sculpture is guaranteed:
✅ Hand-carved by master artisans from Val Gardena
✅ Painted with natural colors resistant to time
✅ Carefully packed to protect every detail
✅ Shipped throughout Italy and Europe
✅ Accompanied by a certificate of artisanal authenticity
✅ Also available in custom versions upon request
🙏 Discover the entire Our Lady of Fátima collection →
Come visit us: Dolfi stores
Dolfi sculptures are not just objects to buy online. They are works of art that deserve to be seen, touched, felt. If you are in the area, we await you in our stores:
🏠 Dolfiland — Ortisei (Val Gardena)
Our flagship store: 3,000 m² dedicated to sacred craftsmanship and the tradition of Val Gardena. A unique experience, nestled in the heart of the Dolomites.
Str. Vidalong 14, 39046 Ortisei (BZ)
🏠 DOLFI Shop — Ortisei Center
In the heart of the village, for those visiting Val Gardena and wanting to take home a piece of authentic craftsmanship.
Ortisei, Val Gardena (BZ)
🏠 DOLFI Shop — Padua, Belluno, Selva di Cadore
The reference point for customers from Veneto and the Belluno Dolomites.
Belluno (BL), Padua (PD)
🏠 DOLFI Shop — Bergamo Alta
In the historic center of one of Italy's most beautiful cities, for customers from Lombardy and surrounding areas.
Bergamo Alta (BG)
Do you prefer to order online or need information about a specific piece? Write to us — we are happy to help you find the right sculpture for you or your loved ones
Frequently Asked Questions about Fatima
When did the Fatima apparitions occur?
The Fatima apparitions took place between May 13 and October 13, 1917, in Cova da Iria, near the village of Fátima in Portugal.
Who are the shepherd children of Fatima?
The three shepherd children are Lucia dos Santos, Francisco Marto, and Jacinta Marto. Francisco and Jacinta were canonized by Pope Francis in 2017. Lucia is in the process of beatification.
What are the three secrets of Fatima?
The three secrets revealed by Our Lady on July 13, 1917, concern: a vision of hell, a prophecy about the Second World War and the conversion of Russia, and the mysterious third secret made public in 2000 by the Vatican.
What is the Miracle of the Sun?
On October 13, 1917, in front of approximately 70,000 witnesses, the sun appeared to dance in the sky, change color, and approach the earth. The event was reported by newspapers of the time and remains one of the most documented episodes in modern religious history.
Where is the Sanctuary of Fatima located?
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima is located in Fátima, in the district of Santarém, Portugal. It can be reached from Lisbon in about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car.
Where can I buy a handcrafted statue of Our Lady of Fatima?
Dolfi's handcrafted sculptures of Our Lady of Fatima are available on shop.dolfi.com/en or in our physical stores in Ortisei, Belluno, and Bergamo Alta. Each piece is hand-carved in Val Gardena and shipped throughout Italy and Europe.
