The historic town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Philippines was established in the late 1500s during Spanish domination and retains its original architecture and layout, making it a well-preserved example of a Spanish colonial town. Its unique style is a product of the blending of Spanish and Philippine design traditions. Popular times to visit are during the town's annual fiesta in January, for religious processions during Holy Week, and to see the nightly dancing fountains show. Vigan can be reached by bus from Manila in 7 hours or by plane to nearby Laoag and then a 90 minute drive to Vigan.

1. 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
The best time to visit Vigan is when the town
celebrates the fiesta. An air of festivity and
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,
covering almost 400 km. The Partas Bus Company,
Dominion Bus Line, Maria de Leon Transit, and
Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines offer bus services
between the 2 cities every day. You can opt for a
flight to the city of Laoag, which is about 80 km from
Vigan. From there, Vigan is only about 90 minutes
away.
JAN WRYVHEN
LANGIDEN
GRADE 8-SMC (EUCLID)
HISTORY, HIGHLIGHTS AND FEATURES
The cobblestone streets, along with the
chequerboard street planning, give a clear sign of
the European influence in the city’s design and
construction. Terracotta, shells, wood, lime and
stone were brought in from the neighbouring regions
to give the buildings their distinctive look.
Other than the normal houses, tourists can visit
significant buildings, which represent the
multicultural influences. These include several
museums, built in memory of the various national
heroes who were born in the town. You can also
check out old Vigan colonial houses that used to be
the ancestral houses for rich Chinese traders.

3. 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
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 previously served as a
watchtower for the town and for the
nearby capital city of Vigan during the
Spanish colonial period, protecting both
areas from pirates and other enemies.
Dancing Fountain

4. The dancing fountains are a very nice
tourist attraction offered for free by the
local government. The show starts at
07:30 pm and lasts about thirty minutes.
Not too crowded. 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.