The best time to visit Vigan is when the town
celebrates the fiesta. An air of festivity and
VIGAN HISTORIC TOWN
The historic town of Vigan was established in the
late-1500s, during the Spanish domination of the
Philippines, and still has the same look and feel
hundreds of years later. The well-preserved city is
the capital of Ilocos Sur, in the northwest of Luzon,
and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The unique architectural fusion of colonial Spanish
and Philippine building designs resulted in the
development of a unique townscape and culture,
with no parallel anywhere else in Southeast Asia. It
derives its name from the word ‘Biga’ – the name
of a giant taro plant that grows in abundance on
the banks of the river Mestizo.
WHEN TO VISIT VIGAN
celebration grips the entire town for a whole week,
ending on 25th January each year. This is done to
remember St. Paul, the apostle’s conversion. The
entirety of Vigan town is decorated, and various
events like beauty pageant competitions and other
variety shows are held.
Many local and international visitors descend on
Vigan during the Holy Week, too. The streets are
filled with religious processions and parades,
featuring statues which are quite ancient and
antique, and which are mounted on beautifully
designed carroza (floats).
From Manila, Vigan is a 7-hour trip to the north, HISTORY, HIGHLIGHTS AND FEATURES
covering almost 400 km. The Partas Bus
Company, Dominion Bus Line, Maria de Leon The cobblestone streets, along with the
Transit, and Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines offer bus chequerboard street planning, give a clear sign of
services between the 2 cities every day. You can the European influence in the city’s design and
opt for a flight to the city of Laoag, which is about construction. Terracotta, shells, wood, lime and
80 km from Vigan. From there, Vigan is only about stone were brought in from the neighbouring
90 minutes away. regions to give the buildings their distinctive look.
Other than the normal houses, tourists can visit
JAN WRYVHEN significant buildings, which represent the
multicultural influences. These include several
LANGIDEN museums, built in memory of the various national
heroes who were born in the town. You can also
GRADE 8-SMC check out old Vigan colonial houses that used to
be the ancestral houses for rich Chinese traders.
(EUCLID)
 Ilocos Sur Vigan City Heritage
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the
best-preserved example of a planned Spanish
colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects
the coming together of cultural elements from
elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and
from Europe, resulting in a culture and
townscape that have no parallel anywhere in
East and South-East Asia.
Bantay Bell Tower
Dancing Fountain
Bantay Bell Tower used to be the belfry of St.
Augustine Parish Church (one of the oldest in
Ilocos region established in 1590) and served
as watchtower at the same time - against
invading pirates - during the Spanish era,
hence the term bantay. The belfry itself was
built in 1591-1592.
Standing tall atop a small hill is the Bantay
Bell Tower, a centuries-old church belfry that
has become a favorite among tourists. Located
in the municipality of Bantay right next to its
local church, the Bantay Bell Tower The dancing fountains are a very nice tourist
previously served as a watchtower for the attraction offered for free by the local
town and for the nearby capital city of Vigan government. The show starts at 07:30 pm and
during the Spanish colonial period, protecting lasts about thirty minutes. Not too crowded.
both areas from pirates and other enemies. Find a place where you see the projected
images. A very good sequence of music with
fountains being used to enhance the sound. A
variety of colours makes this a great
experience. Get there early for a good seat.
You an either go there following an early
dinner or preceding a late dinner. One of the
highlights of our visit to the City.
After a full day of basking in Vigan’s rich
heritage and seeing its numerous sites of the
historic city, end your eventful city tour with a
visual and musical spectacle provided by its
Dancing Fountain. Installed at Plaza Salcedo,
the fountain holds a show every night,
entertaining tourists and locals alike.