Great holm

The Directorate General of Forest Resources of Portugal called the January 2, 2007, the "public interest" the oak tree that sits next to the Chapel of the Apparitions in the Sanctuary of Fatima.

The Identity Card of the tree, issued by the Directorate-General stresses the historical and landscape of oak as follows: "Copy of great symbolism and devotion. It is traditionally associated with the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Is cited in many documents relating to early appearances with the name 'Great Holm. " The seers and the pilgrims sought shelter in its shade to the recitation of the rosary, before the apparitions. "

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This tree has more than one hundred years and was the largest existing in the Cova da Iria in 1917.

It was not on this oak tree that Our Lady appeared, but by being concerned with appearances, was the only one who missed the whole there was.

It was exactly as they passed along the "great oak," as told to Lucy, who saw the second time the lightning that preceded the appearance May 13.

In the following months was the shadow of the "great oak" that the three shepherd children prayed the rosary with the people who accompanied them, preparing to receive the visit of Our Lady.