The big question is why? Why did vandals wreck the year-old religious landmark boulevard in Higuey, the bed city for the Punta Cana area. In an act of brazen destruction that has shocked the nation, vandals armed with sledgehammers and mallets in early morning hours severely damaged the recently inaugurated Vía Sacra, the spiritual and cultural landmark located in the heart of Higüey, adjacent to the iconic Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia.
The attack took place in the early hours of Monday, 11 August, less than a year after the project was unveiled by President Luis Abinader on 13 August 2024, following a RD$115-million investment by the Dominican government, as reported in Listin Diario.
The Vía Sacra, a 9,300-square-meter sacred corridor comprising fourteen intricately carved stone monoliths representing the Mysteries of the Virgin, was designed to guide pilgrims and visitors on a symbolic journey through faith. The destroyed reliefs were donated by Grupo SID and are considered both spiritually and artistically invaluable.
Authorities and residents have condemned the attack as a violation of national identity and heritage.
“This is an unspeakable assault on our faith, our culture, and our identity,” said Bishop Jesús Castro Marte of the Diocese of La Altagracia. Castro Marte had attended the inauguration ceremony alongside President Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado last year.
The National Police launched an immediate investigation and deployed a wide-scale operation in the area in an effort to identify and apprehend those responsible. Forensic teams are currently analyzing the crime scene as local leaders and religious figures demand swift and severe legal action.
Beyond its religious significance, the Vía Sacra was hailed as a cornerstone for regional tourism development. The project, executed by the Committee for the Execution of Infrastructure in Tourist Zones (Ceiztur), aimed to boost religious tourism in the Eastern region, which attracts over five million visitors each year.
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Listin Diario
13 August 2025