La Basilica is located less than one hour from Bavaro, Punta Cana and less than three hours from the Las Americas International Airport (Jose Francisco Peña Gomez); reaching La Basilica by public transport from anywhere in the Dominican Republic is quite easy and visiting La Basilica is an experience that must be lived.
La Basilica de Higüey is one of the most respected monuments of the Dominican Republic. It is located in on the main street of the province of Salva Leon de Higüey. The the present building was inaugurated by the Dr. Joaquin Balaguer (1974-1978); since then La Basilica is considered as the most important religious monument of the Dominican Republic, above several important churches like Las Mercedes. La Basilica is one of the most visited Dominican monuments for by foreigners and nationals tourist; it certainly is the religious center of attention of Latin America and it is where the altar of La Virgen de la Altagracia, the Patron Saint of Dominican Republic, is placed.
La Basilica was inaugurated the 21st of January of 1971, and it was built by French architects (same as many other Dominican monuments) to substitute the antique sanctuary built back in 1572. Its name is due to La Virgen de la Altagracia, the Patron Saint of the Dominicans; in La Basilica you’ll find the spectacular image of the Virgin that is 45cm tall and 33,5cm wide; the painting was made in the 15th century by a Spanish painter.
The frame that holds the image of La Virgen de la Altagracia is made of gold and precious stones; it was created in the 18th century and its value is immeasurable. La Basilica de Higuey is a Dominican Monument since the 12th of October of 1970, the 17th of October of the same year the Pope Pablo IV declared it Minor Basilica. Two years later, the 15th of august of 1972, La Basilica was declared the Diocese of Salva Leon de Higuey.
La Basilica is a structure of monumental dimensions, designed in the shape of a Latin cross; the entry is made of bronze with a 24 carat gold bath and was blessed in Rome by the Pope John Paul II. La Basilica has a bell tower composed by 45 bronze bells. It is located in Higuey (province of Altagracia), in the Dominican Republic.
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