The ACF – Caminhos de Fátima Association was founded in 2016 as a result of the will of 14 founding municipalities (Vila Nova de Gaia, Santa Maria da Feira, São João da Madeira, Oliveira de Azeméis, Albergaria-a-Velha, Águeda, Anadia, Mealhada, Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova, Soure, Pombal, Leiria and Ourém) to create alternative routes to the main national roads in our country, with one route already completed called the “Rota Carmelita” and another in the process of being completed, the “Caminho do Centenário”.
The Carmelita Route crosses the municipalities of Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova, Penela, Ansião, Alvaiázere and Ourém, and was designed by the Agency for the Development of the Castles and Walls of Mondego in partnership with the ACF.The Centenary Route crosses the municipalities of Vila Nova de Gaia, Santa Maria da Feira, São João da Madeira, Oliveira de Azeméis, Albergaria-a-Velha, Águeda, Anadia, Mealhada, Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova, Soure, Pombal, Leiria and Ourém.
The main aim of this association is to get most of the pilgrims off the main roads and onto secondary roads, promoting pilgrim safety, allowing them to see the best landscapes that our country has to offer and to learn a little about the history and culture of these territories.
In terms of project development, the signposting and signposting of the route linking Vila Nova de Gaia to Fátima is nearing completion, as well as some physical interventions. This will be followed by the promotion and dissemination of the route.
Although it was founded by local authorities, the ACF is open to the whole of civil society and can also include citizens, companies and other types of entities as members. Its fundamental aims are to promote and defend the Ways of Fatima in all its dimensions.