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Top 10 Facts about Vigan City

Established in the 16th century, Vigan city is one of the few Spanish colonial towns left in the Philippines whose old structures have mostly remained intact.

Vigan city is located on the western coast of the large island of Luzon, facing the South China Sea.  It serves as the capital of Ilocos Sur and has been a major political and trading center for centuries.

Its historical and cultural significance makes it a popular destination among millions of local and international travelers.

Here are the top 10 facts about Vigan city.

1. Vigan City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1999, Vigan was listed by UNESCO as the best-preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture is a conglomeration of cultural elements from the Philippines, China, and Spain, making it unique in the world.

Vigan city is well known for its pavements and the unique architecture of the Spanish Philippines colonial era. It fuses Native Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial Spanish architecture that is still abundant in the area.

In May 2015, Vigan City was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and La Paz. It is also a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC).

2. Explore the Calle Crisologo Historic Street

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Calle Crisologo is a 15th Century Spanish Street in Vigan Ilocos Sur and the most popular tourist attraction on the Vigan City tour. It is the most photographed street in Vigan, for its cobblestone pavements and old Spanish structures. 

The street is lined with antique houses, and specialty shops leading to the town’s hundred-year-old churches. These structures used to be houses of wealthy families during the Spanish colonial period.

Before it became Calle Crisologo in the 1900s, this historic street was called by various names – Calle Escolta de Vigan in 1the 500s during the Spanish period, Kasanglayan, and Washington Street during the American period.

3. Visit the Crisologo Museum

The Crisologo Museum is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. It was the residence of the former local government representative Floro S. Crisologo.

Floro Crisologo came from a very promonent family in Ilocos Surand was head of Crisologo clan.  He was assassinated by a lone gunman while attending a Sunday mass in 1970.

His wife turned their home into a museum displaying hundreds of memorabilia including blood-stained pair of trousers the congressman was wearing at the time of his death.

The museum is free to enter and it is open all year round from 8.30 am to 11.30 am in the morning session and from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm in the afternoon session.

4. Discover the Syquia Mansion 

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The Syquia Mansion is a classic example of a typical family home during the Spanish Colonial Era in Vigan City. The mansion was built using solely traditional building materials.

Today the mansion operates as a museum displaying artifacts belonging to affluent families from the Spanish colonial era in the 19th century Philippines.

The mansion is popular with educational historical tours, as the former Philippine president and his wife once lived in the mansion. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

The Syquia Mansion is a museum open to the public all year round from 9 am to 12 pm in the morning session and from 1.30 pm to 5 pm in the afternoon session.

5. Take photos from Bantay Church Bell Tower

One of Vigan’s most iconic symbols is the Bantay Bell Tower. First built in 1591, it served as the town’s watchtower before being turned into a bell tower by the nearby church in 1857.

Bantay Church Bell Tower gives the best view of Vigan city and its surrounding areas. It served as an observation tower for the natives of Ilocos to see approaching enemies during the Spanish reign and World War II.

The tower is a popular spot for taking photographs of the city from a vantage point, and It is open to the public daily all year round.

6. Worship at Vigan Cathedral

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A tour of Vigan City is not complete without visiting the Vigan cathedral. The cathedral is a major religious landmark in Vagan and serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.

Although there are hints of Chinese, Romanesque, and Neo-Gothic motifs along its façade, Vigan Cathedral is styled in the Baroque architectural tradition. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1999.

7.  See Animals at Baluarte Zoo

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For animal lovers, the Baluarte zoo is a must-visit destination. It is located in Vagan city and was established by a local businessman cum hunter who wanted a place to display his large stockpile of game trophies.

Inside the zoo, the Safari Gallery features the preserved remains of animals hunted in various parts of the world. It is intended to give an opportunity for the local people to see exotic animals without going to Manila or outside the country.

Baluarte zoo also houses big cats and other animals from various parts of the world. It is open to the public daily from 7 am to 6 pm and admission is free.

8.  Have Fun at Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone

For the adventurers and the fun-seekers, the Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone is the place to be in Vagan city. It is located at the foot of the Banaoang mountain range near Arba River’s Quirino Bridge.

The Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone is popular for its 400 meters long zip line, which propels people across the river. This adventure offers satisfaction to the youngsters looking for adrenaline rush activities.

other activities at the adventure zone are rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, and giant swing. The zone is open for 24 hours all year round.

9. Try Ilocano Local Dishes at Café Bigaa

There are numerous cafes and restaurant in Vigan city that offers local Ilocano dishes. Café Bigaa located inside 130 years old Vigan plaza is famous for its authentic Ilocano cuisine.

Café Bigaa takes pride in its Vigan Longganisa, Bagnet, Igado, and Sinanglao. It also serves Western dishes like pasta. One of its all-time tourist favorites is the Rusangis pasta with cream sauce and a local shellfish as its main ingredient.

Café Bigaa is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm.

10. Tour Pagburnayan Jar Factory 

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Pagburnayan Jar Making is one of the famous and must-see attractions in Vigan city. Sur. The village of Pagburnayan in Ilocos Sur is home to a jar-making factory that uses the centuries-old method of producing clay jars.

The jar-making factory represents the rich history of the region and is one of the few remaining jar factories that have stood the test of time. 

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