Virgen de Altagracia Basilica, Higüey

Visit the original design of the Virgen de Altagracia Basilica in Higüey while staying in Dominican Republic.

Virgen de Altagracia Basilica
© SalviMoca

Discover the Virgen de Altagracia Basilica in the same place where it stood the first sanctuary which worshiped the Virgin Mary in America.

The first church built in this place was also the first one devoted to the Virgin Mary in America and was made of wood. The date of the primitive church is not known, but we do know that in 1569 the current sanctuary began to be built on top of the ashes of the previous primitive one. In 1881, the sanctuary had to be rebuilt after the damages it stood during an earthquake. Similarly, in 1949, the Basilica was built to replace the previous building.

The singularity of this church has to do with its original design based on a series of arches holding a cupola in the shape of half an orange. On top of the major altar stands a cover in the shape of a sea-shell decorated with stone stars while the arches feature stone rosettes.

In the major altar, you can see the Santo Retablo from the 16th century, hand carved in mahogany. The gates are made of bronze and covered in gold, and the bell-tower houses 45 bronze bells.

More information:

Location:

Higüey, Dominican Republic.

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm.
Sunday from 8am to 8pm.