Historic City of Vigan

When East Meets West

Presented by Zachary Magat

 Table of contents

01 General
Description
02 Heritage Status

03 Brief
History
04 Problems and
Protection
 01
VIVA VIGAN!
A General Description of Vigan City
Location in the Philippines
Vigan City is a historic city in
the northern Philippines,
situated along the western
coast of Luzon, in the Ilocos
Region. It serves as the
capital of Ilocos Sur
province, known for its well-
preserved Spanish colonial
architecture, rich cultural
heritage, and unique culinary
offerings.
 Size of Vigan
Area
• Total 25.12 km2 (9.70 sq mi)
Elevation 69 m (226 ft)
Highest elevation 1,104 m (3,622 ft)
Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2020 census)
• Total 53,935
• Density 2,100/km2 (5,600/sq mi)
• Households 12,702
Weather in Vigan
 Map of Vigan

Vigan City is composed of 39 barangays. Each barangay is a local administrative

division in the Philippines, similar to a neighborhood or village.
Main Tourist Areas

Vigan is a hub of Filipino

culture and history.
Visitors can explore
museums, churches, and
other historical landmarks
that provide insight into
the city's past.
City Heritage
Vigan City is often referred
to as the "Heritage City of the
Philippines" because of its
well-preserved historic
architecture which culturally
blended elements from the
Philippines, China, and Spain
to create a truly unique
architectural heritage.
 02
BACK TO
THE PAST
A Brief History of Vigan City
Pre-Colonial Philippines
Pre - 1565

Vigan served as a coastal trading hub

prior to Spanish arrival. Chinese
traders arrived at Isla de Vigan through
the Mestizo River. They brought
goods from Asian kingdoms and
traded them for gold, beeswax, and
mountain products brought by the
indigenous Cordillera people.
 Etymology
Vigan originally settled by traders from
China's Fujian Province. The Chinese referred
to it as "Bee Gan," meaning "Beautiful Shore"
in Southern Min. Spanish settlers,
interchanging V and B for the /b/ sound,
spelled it as "Vigan," a name still in use
today.
Originally named Villa Fernandina, Vigan
was dedicated to Prince Ferdinand, the eldest
son of King Philip II of Spain. As the city
expanded and became the seat of the
Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, it was later
renamed Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan,
signifying "Ferdinand's City of Vigan."
Spanish-Colonial Philippines
1565 - 1898

• In 1572, Captain Juan de Salcedo and his Spanish

troops reached Vigan. Over time, Vigan gained
importance as the religious center of northern Luzon.

• The bishops of Nueva Segovia, originally located in

Lallo, saw the advantages of relocating to Vigan due
to its economic and political significance. Bishop
Juan de la Fuentes de Yepes requested the transfer in
1755, gaining support from various authorities. Pope
Benedict XIV and King Fernando VI approved the
move in September 1758, elevating Vigan to city
status as Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan.
 Spanish-Colonial Philippines
1565 - 1898

• The local populace, along with mestizos of

Filipino-Chinese descent, played pivotal roles
in both trade and supporting various revolts
against Spanish rule. As an example, they
backed the Malong Revolt in 1661, the Silang
Revolt in 1762, the Tobacco Revolt in 1788,
and the Basi Revolt in 1807.

Silang Revolt of 1762

 Spanish-Colonial Philippines
1565 - 1898

• General Emilio Aguinaldo even

used the Archbishop’s palace in
Vigan as a revolutionary
headquarters in 1896, raising the
Philippine flag for the first time
after nearly 400 years of Spanish
rule.

Archbishop’s Palace
 Philippine Revolution, American Occupation & WW2
1898 - 1946

• During the Philippine Revolution, under the leadership of Manuel Tinio and with support
from Ilocano rebels, Spanish colonial forces were defeated in the Siege of Vigan.

• In the Philippine-American War, American forces, commanded by McCracken and Lt. Col.
James Parker, took control of the town in November 1899.

• In World War II, Vigan was one of the first places in the Philippines to be invaded by Japan
on December 10, 1941. In 1945, U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth troops, with assistance
from Ilocano resistance fighters, liberated Vigan by defeating the Japanese Imperial forces.
 Modern Period
1946 - Present

The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 2, 1999,
recognizing the city as prime exemplar of well-preserved Spanish colonial towns in
Asia
 03
The Heritage City
Overview of the Heritage Status of
Vigan City
Inter-cultural Architecture

Vigan's Historic Core, known as the

Mestizo district, displays a
distinctive blend of Spanish,
Mexican, Chinese, Ilocano, and
Filipino influences. This district was
settled by prosperous families of
mixed Chinese-Ilocano heritage and
features 233 historic buildings along
a grid of 25 streets.
Chinese Influence
The two-story structures in Vigan
are constructed using brick and
wood, with steeply pitched roofs
reminiscent of traditional Chinese
architecture. The upper-story walls
are adorned with window panels
framed in wood and made of kapis
shells, allowing for improved
ventilation.
Hispanic Influence

The urban plan of the town closely

conforms with the Renaissance grid
plan specified in the Ley de la
Indias for all new towns in the
Spanish Empire.
Hispanic Influence
Vigan boasts a traditional Hispanic
checkerboard street plan that
unfolds into two adjacent plazas,
Plaza Salcedo and Plaza Burgos.
These plazas are graced by notable
landmarks such as St. Paul's
Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace,
City Hall, and the Provincial Capitol
Building.
Intagible Culture

The city actively promotes its

intangible cultural heritage through
the preservation and transmission of
traditional skills, like craftsmanship,
as well as the sharing of local
culture and history through
storytelling, plays, and zarzuelas.
 Intagible Culture

Additionally, the city hosts various cultural festivals year-round, encompassing both religious and secular
celebrations, such as the Vigan Town Fiesta, Day of St. Paul the Apostle, Longganisa Festival, Semana Santa,
Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts, Repazzo de Vigan, Raniag Festival in October, and year-end
Christmas festivities with lantern and torch parades.
 Top Tourist Spots

Calle Crisologo Vigan Cathedral

 Top Tourist Spots

Bantay Bell Tower Salcedo & Burgos Plaza

 Top Tourist Spots

Syquia Mansion Vigan Heritage Town

 Top Tourist Spots

Pagburnayan Jar Factory Crisologo Museum

 04
TROUBLE IN
PARADISE
Analysis of the Problems Faced in
Preserving Vigan
According to UNESCO…
BUT…
Lost of Authenictiy

Many structures have lost their

authenticity due to extensive
alterations to accommodate new
uses such as for commercial leasing
and residential living. Some
buildings have been abandoned,
neglected, and left to deteriorate.
Lost of Authenictiy
The original construction materials,
such as bricks, wood, kapis shells, and
lime for mortar and plaster, were
sourced from the surrounding areas. The
unavailability of traditional materials
like wood and lime for plaster and
mortar has led to the use of modern
materials like cement and galvanized
iron sheets for roofing.
Natural Disasters

A 7-magnitude earthquake struck Vigan

City during 2021, significant damage to
landmarks, including Vigan Cathedral,
part of the UNESCO world heritage
site, and other historic structures such as
Hotel Linda, Syquia Mansion, and
Bantay Bell Tower.
A Work in Progress
The recognition of the imperative to
safeguard authenticity has markedly
risen since the site's inscription.
Conservation techniques that naturally
evolved over the past three centuries are
presently being reinstated, capitalizing
on a substantial reservoir of enduring
traditional building craftsmanship.
Conclusion
Thank you for
Listening!
 Source
Website Links
Unesco
• https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/948
• https://whc.unesco.org/en/canopy/vigan/
• https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1093/
• https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502/

History
• https://www.vigan.ph/history/vigan-spanish-period.html

Architecture & General Information

• https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/what-to-experience/vigan-ilocos-
tourist-spots