Vigan City, located in the northern part of the Philippines showcases the Spanish heritage of the Philippines. It is listed on UNESCO world heritage list since December 2, 1999 for it's unique spanish colonial history in Asia and the very well preserved spanish monumental buildings which where build in the 18th century.
I got to experienced Vigan through a Kalesa ride around the city. The Heritage village is a must see when you visit Vigan, it is well-known for its cobblestone streets, and a unique architecture that fuses Philippine building design, and construction with colonial European architecture.
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| Calle Crisologo |
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| Kalesa ride on our Vigan City tour |
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| The major attraction of Vigan is its mestizo district, Spanish-style houses that evoke a bygone era when its people lived prosperously because of the Manila-Acapulco maritime trade. |
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| St Paul Cathedral St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral was built by the Augustinian clergy around 1790. The original structure was built in 1574 upon the command of the Spanish founder of Vigan, Juan de Salcedo. It was a mere chapel then, made of wood and thatch. In 1641, the chapel was replaced by a church. |
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| In the south of the St Paul Cathedral lies the eight-sided bell tower used as a safety measure of the church. It was said to be built separately so that in any event of an earthquake, it would not topple into the church. |
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| Bantay Bell Tower Also known as Bantay Belfry because it is located in the Bantay district of Vigan along the national highway. It was said to be the people’s watchtower, part of the city’s defense that helps in alerting it against possible enemies. It was built in 1591. |
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| Padre Burgos House Father Jose Burgos was born in this ancestral home to Florencia Garcia and Jose Burgos in February 1837. Father Burgos’ home is now a satellite museum of the National Museum. Inside the museum, visitors will see a collection of Father Burgos memorabilia and photographs, family antiques and jewelry, Father Burgos’ quarters and a mini library containing his student Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, which the teacher received as a gift. |
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| Baluarte The resort complex lies in hectares of land that stretches from the rolling plain towards the hills. It has a mini zoo with animals from other countries and others endemic to the Philippines. |
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| Mc Donalds in Vigan. Love how their building was patterned like the traditional houses in Vigan. |
If you want to turn back time and experience the old days, Vigan is the place to be.
Source: http://www.vigan.ph/
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