| Día de la Altagracia | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Dominican Republic |
| Type | Religious |
| Significance | feast day for "Our Lady of Altagracia", protector of the Dominican Republic |
| Date | January 21 |
Día de la Altagracia, or Altagracia Day, is a day commemorating "Our Lady of Altagracia", patronal image (there is debate on this) and protector and of the people of the Dominican Republic. It is a feast day and annual public holiday on January 21. "Our Lady of Altagracia" is a portrait of the Virgin Mary painted in the 16th century.[1] The portrait is kept in the The Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia in the city of Salvaleón of Higuey.
The festival was originally held on August 15, but was moved to January 21 to celebrate victory over the French in 1690.