The very first thing that comes to mind each time you hear or think of Vigan City: the place where you can see preserved old Spanish houses and where kalesa, or horse drawn carriage, is still a major transportation. These expectations will definitely be met once you visit this old yet progressive capital city of Ilocos Sur.
A little side note before I discuss Vigan's lovely spots: this blog entry is the second one of the 3-part blog about my Ilocandia trip with my dear friend Dominique. In case you missed the first part, it's about Laoag: The Sunshine City.
Vigan is mostly known to everyone as a World Heritage Site, one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines with its cobblestone streets and houses and buildings created with European architecture. It's the birthplace of Father Jose Burgos, one of the three martyred Filipino priests known as GOMBURZA and also the birthplace of the sixth president of Republic of the Philippines, the late President Elpidio Quirino.
Getting to Vigan City from Laoag City, tourists can ride the buses going to Manila (Partas, GV Florida Transport, RCJ Trans, Maria de Leon Bus or Philippine Rabbit Bus Company) with a maximum of 2 hours and a half ride. If you're coming from Manila, the trip to Vigan on board the same bus companies would be around 8 to 10 hours ride.
Calle Crisologo at Night
Calle Crisologo, or Crisologo Street, composes most of Vigan Heritage Village, which includes Plaridel Street as well, and what Vigan City is known for. It's a cobble-stoned street lined with Spanish Era ancestral houses which led to the inclusion of the city in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The street derived its name from Mena Crisologo, a famous politician and writer who's also known as the Ilocano Shakespeare.
At night, Calle Crisologo is lighted with soft yellow lights making the street look really old and classy, a sight to behold and a must-do by tourists. Yes, I suggest you do an overnight stay at Vigan if you can just to enjoy the classic feel of the site during the evening. You wouldn't regret it!
A little side note before I discuss Vigan's lovely spots: this blog entry is the second one of the 3-part blog about my Ilocandia trip with my dear friend Dominique. In case you missed the first part, it's about Laoag: The Sunshine City.
Vigan is mostly known to everyone as a World Heritage Site, one of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines with its cobblestone streets and houses and buildings created with European architecture. It's the birthplace of Father Jose Burgos, one of the three martyred Filipino priests known as GOMBURZA and also the birthplace of the sixth president of Republic of the Philippines, the late President Elpidio Quirino.
Getting to Vigan City from Laoag City, tourists can ride the buses going to Manila (Partas, GV Florida Transport, RCJ Trans, Maria de Leon Bus or Philippine Rabbit Bus Company) with a maximum of 2 hours and a half ride. If you're coming from Manila, the trip to Vigan on board the same bus companies would be around 8 to 10 hours ride.
Calle Crisologo at Night
Calle Crisologo, or Crisologo Street, composes most of Vigan Heritage Village, which includes Plaridel Street as well, and what Vigan City is known for. It's a cobble-stoned street lined with Spanish Era ancestral houses which led to the inclusion of the city in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The street derived its name from Mena Crisologo, a famous politician and writer who's also known as the Ilocano Shakespeare.
At night, Calle Crisologo is lighted with soft yellow lights making the street look really old and classy, a sight to behold and a must-do by tourists. Yes, I suggest you do an overnight stay at Vigan if you can just to enjoy the classic feel of the site during the evening. You wouldn't regret it!
Adventure Tip: If you are staying overnight at Vigan City, I suggest you stay in a hotel within Calle Crisologo. It's easier to access all the souvenir shops and of course it'll give you the feeling of living during the Spanish era. A big plus: you'll wake up to the sound of the kalesa.
During our trip, we stayed at Cordillera Inn located at the heart of Calle Crisologo.
During our trip, we stayed at Cordillera Inn located at the heart of Calle Crisologo.
Cafe Leona
The restaurant is located at the end of Calle Crisologo and definitely hard to miss because of the lanterns on the street with its name on them. Cafe Leona's ambiance is loyal to Vigan's old Spanish era feel. They offer different Ilocano dishes with Morcon, mother's meat rolls, and Vigan longganisa as the bestsellers.
The restaurant is located at the end of Calle Crisologo and definitely hard to miss because of the lanterns on the street with its name on them. Cafe Leona's ambiance is loyal to Vigan's old Spanish era feel. They offer different Ilocano dishes with Morcon, mother's meat rolls, and Vigan longganisa as the bestsellers.
Calle Crisologo in Broad Daylight
An early morning stroll on a still empty Calle Crisologo brings a different feeling to tourists from the stroll during the evening - refreshing sight of the ancestral houses' colors and structures. It's also a good opportunity to take pictures before the street becomes really busy for the day.
An early morning stroll on a still empty Calle Crisologo brings a different feeling to tourists from the stroll during the evening - refreshing sight of the ancestral houses' colors and structures. It's also a good opportunity to take pictures before the street becomes really busy for the day.
Adventure Tip: A must do while touring around Vigan City: ride the kalesa! Your tour wouldn't be complete without this experience. An hour ride is 150php with an estimated 4 hours tour around Vigan.
Vigan Cathedral
Vigan Cathedral, also known as St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, houses the replica of the Miraculous Santo Cristo Milagroso (original at Sinait, Ilocos Sur) and is the burial place of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino.
Vigan Cathedral, also known as St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, houses the replica of the Miraculous Santo Cristo Milagroso (original at Sinait, Ilocos Sur) and is the burial place of the great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino.
St. Augustine Church and Bell Tower
Located at Bantay, the church of St. Augustine has the Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Pseudo-Romanesque features. It is the home of the oldest Marian image in Ilocos known as the Lady of Charity, said to be miraculous. A separate three-storey hilltop bell tower located around 50 meters from the church is also a sight to behold and one of the most visited attractions in the province.
Located at Bantay, the church of St. Augustine has the Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Pseudo-Romanesque features. It is the home of the oldest Marian image in Ilocos known as the Lady of Charity, said to be miraculous. A separate three-storey hilltop bell tower located around 50 meters from the church is also a sight to behold and one of the most visited attractions in the province.
Adventure Tip: The top floor of the tower can only hold a maximum of 10 persons.
Padre Burgos Museum
Father Jose Burgos was one of the three priest-reformists known as GOMBURZA, which stands for Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, executed by the Spanish authorities in 1872 after being accused of treason. As a tribute, his residence was turned into a museum showcasing Padre Burgos' history and achievements as well as Ilocano artifacts and ethnic arts of the Tinggians.
Padre Burgos Museum
Father Jose Burgos was one of the three priest-reformists known as GOMBURZA, which stands for Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, executed by the Spanish authorities in 1872 after being accused of treason. As a tribute, his residence was turned into a museum showcasing Padre Burgos' history and achievements as well as Ilocano artifacts and ethnic arts of the Tinggians.
Pagburnayan's Jar Making
Vigan City is not just famous for preserved ancestral houses, it's also known for producing Ilocano jars known as burnay used for storing local wine called basi, fish sauce or bagoong and locally-made vinegar. Jar makers show the making of the jars from kneading the clay to using foot-powered potter wheels to turn the clay into burnay jars, which tourists can actually try as well.
Vigan City is not just famous for preserved ancestral houses, it's also known for producing Ilocano jars known as burnay used for storing local wine called basi, fish sauce or bagoong and locally-made vinegar. Jar makers show the making of the jars from kneading the clay to using foot-powered potter wheels to turn the clay into burnay jars, which tourists can actually try as well.
Adventure Tip: Local street sellers roam around offering Ilocano delicacies. It doesn't hurt to try their Ilocano version of Kalamay.
Hidden Garden
Located in a place known for producing bricks, pots and other products of clay called Bulala, Hidden Garden is a sanctuary of greenery in the middle of a historic city. It houses Lilong and Lilang Coffee Shop where tourists can eat or even just zip some fresh fruit juices or shakes.
Located in a place known for producing bricks, pots and other products of clay called Bulala, Hidden Garden is a sanctuary of greenery in the middle of a historic city. It houses Lilong and Lilang Coffee Shop where tourists can eat or even just zip some fresh fruit juices or shakes.
Baluarte
Baluarte is a good venue to visit not just because it's a mini-zoo but because it's an OPEN mini-zoo, where most of the animals are free to roam around the zoo and guests can mingle. It's located at Salindeg and owned by the Singson family.
Baluarte is a good venue to visit not just because it's a mini-zoo but because it's an OPEN mini-zoo, where most of the animals are free to roam around the zoo and guests can mingle. It's located at Salindeg and owned by the Singson family.
They also hold a mini show of exotic and wild animals at Baluarte. They ask for volunteers who would be holding a certain surprise animal without the guests' idea.
Adventure Tip: Want to take a picture with these exotic and wild animals including the tiger? You only have to pay 100php per person to pose with them.
Adventure Tip: Want to take a picture with these exotic and wild animals including the tiger? You only have to pay 100php per person to pose with them.
Villa Angela
Located at Quirino Boulevard, Villa Angela is a heritage home built in 1873 and was converted into a hotel in 1987. It is most famous as the home of Hollywood actor Tom Cruise during the filming of the movie Born on the Fourth of July.
Located at Quirino Boulevard, Villa Angela is a heritage home built in 1873 and was converted into a hotel in 1987. It is most famous as the home of Hollywood actor Tom Cruise during the filming of the movie Born on the Fourth of July.
Bistro Amarillo
Bistro Amarillo is the restaurant of Hotel Salcedo de Vigan located at V. Delos Reyes St., the street next to Calle Crisologo. The restaurant offers different Ilocano dishes such as bagnet, double-fried crispy pork. It's also said that they have the best Vigan longganisa and indeed they have, you can try it yourself.
Bistro Amarillo is the restaurant of Hotel Salcedo de Vigan located at V. Delos Reyes St., the street next to Calle Crisologo. The restaurant offers different Ilocano dishes such as bagnet, double-fried crispy pork. It's also said that they have the best Vigan longganisa and indeed they have, you can try it yourself.
Adventure Tips:
1. If you're staying longer at Vigan, you can also try Grandpa's Inn's restaurants and cafe (Kusina Felecitas, Cafe Uno and Uno Grille) for more choices. The hotel is located at Bonifacio Street.
2. Want to have a unique dining experience while staying in Vigan? Try the colonial experience at Arce Mansion, located at Quirino Boulevard, where you can have lunch or dinner while wearing period costumes. The price is 1,500php per individual with a minimum of 5 persons. It's best to call ahead for reservations.
Syquia Mansion
Syquia Mansion was the resident of the sixth President of the Republic of the Philippines, the late President Elpidio Quirino. Located at the corner of Quirino Boulevard, Syquia Mansion was preserved for the viewing of guests housing all of the late president's memorabilia and oil paintings with three identified as the works of the famous Filipino artist Fernando Amorsolo. It also showcases the replica of Juan Luna's famous Spoliarium, which was used as a guide during the Spoliarium's restoration. Entrance fee is 30php per person.
1. If you're staying longer at Vigan, you can also try Grandpa's Inn's restaurants and cafe (Kusina Felecitas, Cafe Uno and Uno Grille) for more choices. The hotel is located at Bonifacio Street.
2. Want to have a unique dining experience while staying in Vigan? Try the colonial experience at Arce Mansion, located at Quirino Boulevard, where you can have lunch or dinner while wearing period costumes. The price is 1,500php per individual with a minimum of 5 persons. It's best to call ahead for reservations.
Syquia Mansion
Syquia Mansion was the resident of the sixth President of the Republic of the Philippines, the late President Elpidio Quirino. Located at the corner of Quirino Boulevard, Syquia Mansion was preserved for the viewing of guests housing all of the late president's memorabilia and oil paintings with three identified as the works of the famous Filipino artist Fernando Amorsolo. It also showcases the replica of Juan Luna's famous Spoliarium, which was used as a guide during the Spoliarium's restoration. Entrance fee is 30php per person.
Adventure Tip: It's best not to touch anything at Syquia Mansion. The antique items are worth so much and you don't want to ruin any of them.
Crisologo Museum
Crisologo Museum was the residence of the Crisologo family converted into a musem. It showcases memorabilia of the Crisologo family.
Crisologo Museum
Crisologo Museum was the residence of the Crisologo family converted into a musem. It showcases memorabilia of the Crisologo family.
Adventure Tip: From our first-hand experience, Dominique and I recommend our tour guide and kuchero Danny Quirit Jr. and his horse Stanley in doing your Vigan City tour. You may contact him at +639167671900.
To Kuya Danny, thank you for giving us a really great tour, we definitely enjoyed ourselves. We're hoping to be back someday!
To Kuya Danny, thank you for giving us a really great tour, we definitely enjoyed ourselves. We're hoping to be back someday!
The Vigan experience was really something refreshing, educational and extra-ordinary given that some people tend to forget the appreciation of our origin. The structures built and preserved on this place are reminders of how rich and diverse our culture is. I'm hoping that the local government and the ancestral house owners would keep preserving what they have for the future generations to see and be amazed. I'm crossing my fingers to that. For now, I can say that I've ticked off one of the places in the Philippines I've been wanting to visit for years.
Still haven't had enough of Ilocos provinces? There's still the 3rd and final entry for this 3-part blog to read! Until the next entry!
"Make a list of places you want to see. The fulfillment you'll get once you visit a place in your list is priceless." - KM
Still haven't had enough of Ilocos provinces? There's still the 3rd and final entry for this 3-part blog to read! Until the next entry!
"Make a list of places you want to see. The fulfillment you'll get once you visit a place in your list is priceless." - KM