Igreja da Santissima Trindade

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Igreja da Santissima Trindade about a week before it opens

The Church of the Most Holy Trinity ( port. For Holy Trinity Church ) in the pilgrimage town of Fatima in Portugal is, according to church officials the fourth largest Catholic church in the world and the biggest church building in the 21st century. It is one of the 8 international sanctuaries in the world . It was on 12 October 2007 consecrated the following day were 250,000 pilgrims to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the third prophecy of Fatima, which allegedly took place in close proximity.

The main part of the church above ground is circular and has a diameter of 125 m. The roof of the main hall has no supporting pillars, so that a clear view of the altar is possible from every seat . Depending on the source, the number of seats is given with different values ​​between "approximately 8500" and "9000" (e.g.). The front seating area with 3175 seats can be separated from the rear area for smaller events. The converted volume is 130,000 m³. The information on the construction costs vary between 60 and 80 million euros, depending on the source.

The church can be entered through 13 doors, which, according to the architect , are dedicated to the twelve apostles and Jesus Christ (the 64 m² main gate).

Model of the church
Crucifix by Robert Schad in front of the church

The church is opposite the existing pilgrimage church Basilica Antiga . The largest church forecourt in the world is located between the two churches. There is also a chapel with 600 seats under the forecourt.

To the side in front of the church is an abstract crucifix made of Corten steel by the artist Robert Schad, over 30 meters high .

The architect of the church is the Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis (honorary member of the American Institute of Architects ). The mosaics created Marko Ivan Rupnik . The construction time was three years. It was originally due to open on May 13, 2007, the anniversary of the apparition; however, completion was delayed. Numerous Catholic dignitaries came to the opening, including a. Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone . In 2009 the building as well as the architect and the responsible engineers received the “ Outstanding Structure Award ” from IABSE .

Web links

Commons : Igreja da Santissima Trindade  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c spiegel.de of October 12, 2007
  2. ↑ gcatholic.org
  3. ↑ Report on ORF.at
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g Article on ecclesia.pt (in Portuguese)
  5. ↑ The Church on the official sanctuary website ( February 14, 2008 memento in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ Sign next to the church

Coordinates: 39 ° 37 ′ 48.5 "  N , 8 ° 40 ′ 28.4"  W.