Construction of the Altagracia Pilgrim Center Begins

La Altagracia.- The Altagracia Museum Foundation Alejandro E. Grullón E. began the construction of the Altagracia Pilgrim Center, a work that will transform the experience of faith and religious tourism in the Eastern region and will consolidate Higüey as one of the most important spiritual destinations in the Caribbean. The ceremony, held in the gardens of the Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, symbolizes the commitment to unite tradition, culture, and development. Conceived as the most modern pilgrimage center in the region, this project will provide a comprehensive experience for pilgrims, students, tourists, and families, strengthening the Marian identity and projecting the Dominican Republic as a benchmark for international religious tourism. The Altagracia Pilgrims’ Center is projected as a cultural and spiritual attraction of great magnitude. It is estimated that it will receive up to 250,000 students from all academic levels and around 750,000 annual visitors, consolidating Higüey as the epicenter of Altagracian devotion and religious tourism in the region.

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During the event, Manuel Alejandro Grullón Hernández, treasurer of the Fundación Museo de la Altagracia Alejandro E. Grullon E., highlighted the significance of the project:

“This center will be a home that welcomes and transforms. Here, faith meets culture and education to generate real development opportunities for local communities and for the entire country,” expressed Grullón Hernández.

An emblematic project with a vision for the future The design of this center is in charge of architect Pedro Borrell, who is currently working on the master development plan for this block of the basilica, which includes an expansion of the Museo de la Altagracia, the construction of a columbarium (where devotees of the Virgin will be able to bring their loved ones to rest next to their Protecting Mother), a technological center, facilities for the specialized police of the basilica and the improvement of public bathrooms, pedestrian access ways and landscaping. This set constitutes a master plan for the revitalization of Marian faith and will add value to the devotees who come to the basilica, also enriching the experience of each visitor. “We have conceived a space that connects tradition with innovation, where each architectural element dialogues with the faith, culture, and nature that surrounds it,” said Pedro Borrell, the architect responsible for the design. The project also integrates with the Camino a la Altagracia (CALA), the historic 120-kilometer pilgrimage route that connects Bayaguana with Higüey and has become a symbol of identity and tradition for thousands of faithful.

About the Alejandro E. Grullón E. Altagracia Museum Foundation

The Foundation is a non-profit entity dedicated to preserving and promoting the religious, artistic, and cultural heritage linked to the Virgin of Altagracia. It manages the Basilica Cathedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia and the Altagracia Museum, and develops cultural, spiritual, and tourism projects that strengthen this legacy of faith, both in the country and abroad.