Higuey

About

Originally a Taino indian chiefdom, Higüey was subjugated by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1503, and the Spanish settlement founded in 1505. The town’s parish church was perhaps the first Marian shrine in the Americas, which has cemented Higüey as a place of pilgrimage. Even today, the city’s main attraction is the modernist Basilica of La Altagracia. Crowned by a concrete tower, the brutalist structure belies the church’s historical significance. Inside, the elaborate shrine of the Virgin Mary, houses a magnificent altar and painting that has been on display in Higüey since 1571. Nearby, the Museo de La Altagracia displays art, artifacts, and vestments covering the church’s history. The other main attraction is the artisan market, the Plaza Higüeyana, which is a great place to pick up your DR souvenir while supporting local craftsmen.