Vigan City

the capital of Ilocos Sur, is the best preserved Spanish-era community in the Philippines. With nearly 200 colonial structures, it belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

POINTS OF INTEREST

National Museum (Padre Burgos House) - The Burgos residence in Vigan houses the Memorabilia of Fr. Jose Burgos as well as Ilocano artifacts and the ethnic arts of the Tinggians. The museum is open from Monday to Friday and by appointments on week-ends and holidays.

Crisologo Museum - Located along de los Reyes Street in Vigan, the museum houses the memorabilia of the Crisologos and original furnishings of a typical Vigan house. The museum is open Monday to Sunday.

Ancestral Houses - Kamestizoan district in Vigan is replete with ancestral houses with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings, ballustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish-Mexican-Chinese architectural styles.

Archbishop's Palace - The place features sliding capiz windows and cut-out decorations with floral motifs. Finished in 1793 after a span of seven years, the palace has a collection of priceless ecclesiastical artifacts and relics from other Ilocano churches. Visits can be arranged from Monday to Friday.

Viva Vigan Arts and Industry Festival - Every first week of May, Vigan plays hosts to visitors for this festival featuring painting and product exhibits, a calesa parade and other cultural activites.

HOW TO GET THERE

Vigan is a seven-hour bus ride from Manila and then from Vigan, guest will have to travel for another three hours to reach Laoag City. Air Philippines flies three times a week from Manila to Laoag City and vice-versa. For international connections, Air Macau flies the route Macau/Laoag/Macao; Air Philippines, Laoag/Hongkong/Laoag, and China Southern, Guanzhou/Laoag/Guanzhou.

 

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