HIGÜEY, LA ALTAGRACIA PROVINCE – Every January 21st, Higüey becomes the main meeting point for Dominican faith. Thousands of people arrive from different parts of the country and abroad on pilgrimage to the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia. Some fulfill promises, others offer petitions, many seek a blessing, and others simply come moved by tradition and respect for one of the nation's most important religious symbols.
Days before the festival, the area around the Basilica begins to fill with parishioners who camp, pray, and await the central moment of the celebration. Higüey is then transformed into a space for reflection, gathering, and collective devotion, where spirituality sets the rhythm of the city.
In light of the Day of Our Lady of Altagracia, it is appropriate to review the history and significance of this religious monument, which, in addition to being one of the most visited in the Caribbean, represents a synthesis between faith, national identity, and monumental architecture.
A cult that was born with the history of the country
Devotion to Our Lady of Altagracia dates back to the early years of colonization. The image venerated today in Higüey was brought to the island by the noblemen Alonso and Antonio de Trejo, from Placencia, Extremadura, who placed it in the parish church after attributing favors and miracles to it. From then on, the Virgin began to occupy a central place in the spirituality of the region.
Long before 1540, devotion to Our Lady of Altagracia was already a living practice among the inhabitants of Higüey. In its early days, pilgrims visited a humble thatched shrine, until in 1569 construction began on a stone church that withstood the test of time. In 1572, this first formal temple was completed, considered the direct predecessor of the current sanctuary.
The image of Our Lady of Altagracia, which dates from the 16th century, is recognized as the first evangelizer of the New World and constitutes one of the most valuable religious pieces of the Dominican spiritual heritage.
The project for a basilica for the 20th century
The current temple emerged from an international architectural competition held in 1947, which attracted 40 projects from 12 countries. The winning design was that of French architects André-Jacques Dunoyer de Segonzac and Pierre Dupré, a proposal with a strong symbolic character and modern lines.
After several visits to the country and adjustments to the project to adapt it to the environment, the first stone was solemnly laid on January 21, 1952, at the initiative of Monsignor Juan Félix Pepén, the first bishop of Higüey. Construction formally began in 1954 and lasted for 17 years.
The basilica was inaugurated on January 21, 1971, by then-President Joaquín Balaguer. That same year, it was declared a national monument, and Pope Paul VI granted it the title of minor basilica. In 1973, it became the seat of the Diocese of Our Lady of Altagracia.
In 1992, during his visit to the country, Pope John Paul II blessed the temple and crowned the image of the Virgin with a gilded silver crown, reaffirming its spiritual importance internationally.
Monumental architecture and symbols of faith
Built primarily of concrete, the Basilica of Higüey has a Latin cross floor plan and occupies an area of approximately 4,680 square meters. Its main arch reaches a height of 80 meters, making it one of the most imposing religious structures in the Caribbean.
The interior has a capacity of between 3,000 and 3,500 people, a number that proves insufficient every January 21st due to the massive influx of pilgrims. One of the most distinctive elements of its design is the elongated arches, which symbolize the silhouette of the Virgin Mary with her hands crossed in prayer, making the very structure of the temple an architectural representation of Marian devotion.
The basilica has 45 bronze bells, donated by Joaquín Alfáu in 1864. Its main doors are made of bronze covered with 24-karat gold, while its monumental facade is complemented by stained glass windows in shades of blue and an entrance marked by the color red.
Inside is the large painting of Our Lady of Altagracia, framed in gold and precious stones, considered priceless for its artistic quality and religious significance. Stained-glass windows and murals complete the ensemble, projecting an atmosphere of light and solemnity that reinforces the spiritual character of the space.
Higüey, city of faith and hospitality
The Basilica is located in Salvaleón de Higüey, capital of the province of La Altagracia, created in 1961. According to the 2010 census, the province has 273,210 inhabitants, with a majority urban population and a density of 90.9 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Higüey is distinguished by the warmth of its people, their attachment to traditions, and their respectful treatment of visitors. Beyond the Basilica, the area offers a natural environment marked by centuries-old ruins, mountains, and areas of pristine vegetation, with a remarkable richness of flora and fauna.
Every January 21st, the city becomes not only the epicenter of national devotion, but also a point where history, architecture, spirituality, and culture converge. The Basilica of Higüey, more than just a temple, is a living symbol of Dominican identity and the country's profound connection to its Marian faith.
