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!