Naimbag nga adlaw! (Good day!

Background

Vigan city is the capital city of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is located within the west coast of Luzon,
facing the West Philippine Sea. Vigan is the best example of planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. It is
one of the most historic surviving cities in the Philippines that dates back to 16 th century Spanish-
colonial period.

Vigan is a UNESCO World Heritage City as one of the few towns in the Philippines whose old structures
remained intact. It known for its sett pavements and unique architecture that reflects the cultural
elements of the Philippine colonial era, combining elements of Philippine culture with Spanish-colonial
architecture around the city. The best examples known are the “Bahay na Bato” houses and the city’s
sett pavements.

The Spanish government’s urban planners followed a basic pattern that can be observed in historical
towns which is a grid pattern, with a plaza at the center. There are two plazas surrounded by the city’s
beautiful architecture such as St. Paul’s cathedral; which is a UNESCO world heritage site, the
Archbishop’s Palace, the City Hall, and the Provincial Capitol.

Attractions

Vigan has a lot of attractions especially for tourists. We have:

 Calle Crisologo – over 200 preserved homes

 Bantay Bell Tower – built in 1591, one of Vigan’s oldest structures watch tower turned into
church bell tower.

 Baluarte – an animal conservation zoo with different animals from the Philippines

 Syquia Mansion – former home of late President Elpidio Quirino. “Malacanang of the North”
 Crisologo Museum – home of late congressman Floro Crisologo

 St. Paul Cathedral – home of the Vigan Archbishop and a UNESCO world heritage site

 Mindoro beach of Vigan – black sand

 Arce Mansion – ancestral home turned museum where you can dress up like a gobernaorcillo, a
don, or dona.

 Vigan Kalesa ride

 Padre Burgos house – house of Padre Burgos of Gomburza turned museum.

  Pagburnayan – an old jar factory

Festivals

 Vigan Town Fiesta/Longganisa Festival – the biggest secular festival which is a week-long
celebration with carnivals, parades, musical extravaganzas, beauty contests and nightly cultural
shows. It culminates on January 20 with the celebration of the conversion of St Paul the Apostle,
the town’s patron saint.

 Viva Vigan Festival of Arts - held during the first week of May, includes dancing and music, and
the highlight is the religious celebration on May 3 (Tres de Mayo), which starts with a Mass at
Vigan’s cemetery chapel and continues with dancing in Crisologo Street and a kalesa parade.
 Raniag The Vigan Twilight Festival - Every last week of October, various lights would swarm the
city of Vigan as a way to celebrate Raniag Twilight Festival. Raniag is an Iloko word which means
“light.” The festival symbolizes the light that guides the departed towards heaven. Hence, all of
the events done during this festival involve lights and are held at night.