Those taking the tour to visit La Altagracia and its 2,000-person Basilica La Altagracia should consider including a stopover in the small San Dionisio Church, the precursor of the Basilica. The small church iin a 595 square meter area in the city center of Higuey, capital of La Altagracia province.
The renovation was entrusted to the Ministry of Housing and Government Buidings (MIVED). Housing Minister Bonilla said the presbytery, the baptismal chapel, the altar, the sacristy, the chapels, the bell tower, the small square and the chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament were remodeled at a cost of RD$180 million. He said the restoration process respected the original design and architecture, a construction that dates back to 1569.
The building is one of the oldest in the country and was the seat of the image of Our Lady of Altagracia, the “mother and protector of the Dominican people” until the image was moved to the new Higuey Basilica. The Basilica and its sacred art museum are walking distance from the San Dionisio Church.
The Sanctuary of San Dionisio was built 510 years ago and is located in front of the Central Park of Higüey. The church is named after Saint Dionysius in honor of Father Dionysius of Paris, who arrived in France from Italy between the years 250 to 270. He was the first bishop of Paris and apostle of Gaul.
The contractor for the San Dionisio Church renovations, Juan Gilberto Nuñez, is the same who had renovated the Santa Barbara church in the Colonial City.
The activity was attended by President Luis Abinader, the bishop of the Diocese of Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, Monsignor Jesús Castro Marte, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, Monsignor Francisco Ozoria; the bishop of the Diocese of San Pedro de Macorís, Monsignor Santiago Rodríguez; the senator of Higüey, Virgilio Cedano; mayor Rafael Barón Duluc (Cholitín); the legal advisor of the Executive Branch, Antoliano Peralta;
Also, the general commander of the Dominican Navy, vice admiral Ramón Gustavo Betances; former senator Amable Aristy; the president of the Punta Cana Group, Frank Rainieri; legislators Francisco Villegas and Francisco Solimán; among others.
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El Dia
29 March 2022