cp fn-01: heritage building study

LAOAG SINKING BELL TOWER

Project Brief:
The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the Philippines. The Belltower
measures a massive 45-meter tall, it is the tallest historic building in Laoag City, the capital of
Northern Ilocos. The tower is part of the St. William's Cathedral, which is one of the largest in the
Philippines.
The tower is believed to be sinking at a rate of an inch per year. This is because the tower was built
on sandy land, and its heavy and massive structure caused it to bury itself into the ground slowly.
(Ugc, 2023)

Project Background:
Where The tower is located at A. Bonifacio Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (Region I, Northern
Province of the Philippines.)
When The bell tower was built in 1612.
What The cathedral was built using lime mixed with molasses for strength and then with large
stones, gravel, and sand. Timber was used to make the roof support trusses, which were
originally made from cogon grass and later replaced with nipa.
Who The bell tower was built by the members of Christian religious orders that followed the
Rule of Saint Augustine, also known as the Augustinians, together with the help of
Ilocano artisans.
Why The bell tower was built, ringing to call people to mass at St. William’s Cathedral.

Architectural Feature:
The bell tower was presumably built after the 1707 earthquake. It has withstood several minor
earthquakes since completion, thus earning membership to the “Earthquake Baroque” style label by
architecture scholars. It has a foundation of 295 feet and a height of nearly 150 feet, it was a solid
structure that towered over Ilocanos for centuries. (Ugc, 2023)
According to (Shetler, 2023). The tower appears to be sinking uniformly. It doesn’t appear to be in
danger of falling or suffering permanent damage.
The tower was also extensively damaged by a typhoon in 1640, an earthquake in 1706, and a fire in
1843. However, it was restored in 1880 and continues to stand as a testament to the resilience of the
structures built during the Spanish era.

Current Situation:
The bell tower sustained minor damage, with some bricks falling off, from the magnitude seven
earthquake that hit Abra and other parts of Luzon on Wednesday (July 27, 2022). According to
authorities, a new retrofit is needed to preserve the national treasure.
The cathedral itself was recently repainted beige and yellow (much to the locals’ dismay), but the old,
gray sinking bell tower still stands, tarnished only by the passing of time. (Ugc, 2023)

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LAOAG SINKING BELL TOWER PHOTO DOCUMENTATION

(Sinking Bell Tower | Guide to the Philippines. (n.d.). Guide to the Philippines.)

(Then and Now Laoag Sinking Bell Tower. Photo Courtesy to Pilipinas: Noon at Ngayon Facebook )

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REFERENCES:
The Laoag sinking bell tower, a famous local tourist attraction. (n.d.). Www.pagudpud-Ilocos.com.
https://www.pagudpud-ilocos.com/laoag-sinking-bell-tower.html

Ugc. (2023, October 1). The sinking Bell tower. Atlas Obscura.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-sinking-bell-tower-laoag-city-philippines

‌Shetler, S. (2023, March 9). Quirky attraction: the Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag, Philippines.
Quirky Travel Guy. https://quirkytravelguy.com/sinking-bell-tower-laoag-philippines/

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