Used the extra day to visit Fatima, but before catching the bus, I climbed up to the Templar Castle and Convent of Christ. They date back to 11 hundreds and show off fantastic architecture. In my view, the rotunda church is the highlight: 16-sided building on the outside and the traditional 8-sided chapel on the inside representing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Chapter window alludes to many navigational artifacts. After all, here is where the gets discoveries were planned a few hundred years later by Infante (prince) Henry: Columbus, Vasco de Gama, and the list goes on.
Fatima was as solemn as before (2008) but not nearly as many "pilgrims." I suppose these come in waves. Walked the 3-mile round trip of the stations of the cross to the place where several of the apparitions of Mary took place. Serene place to reflect on it "all." I loved it--may be one of my highlights!
Here are some of my memories (first four of Fatima and the rest at the Templar Castle and Convent--note statue of Pope John Paul II with ultra-modern sculpture of the cross behind him):
