In Higüey, President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado inaugurated the Pilgrimage Boulevard and the reconstruction of the streets surrounding the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia yesterday, Friday, with an investment of over RD$115,000,000.
The works, which represent a great boost for religious tourism in the country, comprised an intervention of 9,300 square meters, including the paving of 362 linear meters of the main access road to the Basilica, Agustín Guerrero Avenue.
It also has a system of drains and filters for effective management of rainwater drainage and conservation of the road, a press release highlights.
It also includes the construction of 5,120 meters of paved sidewalks and 904 linear meters of curb.
The Via Sacra project consists of the construction of approximately 14 stelae representing the Mysteries of the Sorrows and Joys of the Virgin, which will serve as a religious tourist route for devotees and tourists visiting the emblematic sanctuary.
The route will begin from the San Dionisio Sanctuary towards the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia.
The president said that these projects will have a great impact on religious tourism, as part of the diversified offerings of the eastern region, which receives the largest number of tourists visiting the country.
For his part, Collado highlighted the importance of these projects in the development and strengthening of religious tourism, which, he indicated, is increasingly important in the Dominican Republic.
“These works were a long-standing demand of the residents of La Altagracia province and also constitute a great boost for the development of religious tourism, especially here in the birthplace of the Virgin of Altagracia,” the official noted.
President Abinader and David Collado led the inauguration. (External source).
He stated that the new Via Sacra, which will promote the monument of the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, will become the most important religious symbol in the entire region, bringing to Higüey a large part of the more than 5 million foreigners who visit the province each year.
Square meters
The works, developed by the Executive Committee for Infrastructure of Tourist Zones (CEIZTUR), also include the reconstruction of the Monsignor Adolfo Nouel park, which is 615 square meters.
In turn, the beautification of the newly inaugurated Via Sacra includes landscaping, equipment, lighting and underground work on high and medium voltage electrical wiring, as well as telecommunications and existing wiring.
It also has a system of drains and filters for effective management of rainwater drainage and conservation of the road.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the stelae were donated by the SID Group.
The opening ceremony for the works was attended by the main provincial, municipal and religious authorities of La Altagracia, as well as businessmen from the tourism sector.
