Vigan attractions and activities
Cobbled Spanish streets in Vigan
Plaza Burgos is the centrepoint of the city and heart of all Vigan attractions as well as being a stage for public events and a favourite place for locals to hang out and put the world to rights. Around the square are dozens of horse-drawn calesa carriages for rent (Php150 per hour) and food stalls selling native snacks such as the infamous Vigan empanada.
Sightseeing around Vigan is easy as the city is laid out in an attractive grid system and Plaza Burgos acts as the reference point for any wandering. There are plenty of antiques shops around town for those in search of period souvenirs, and just browsing through the shelves of curios is a pleasant way to escape the scorching midday sun.
Vigan is also famous for clay pottery and anyone wishing to find out more about this ancient craft (or even have a go themselves) can do so at Pagburnayan Potteries on Rizal Street. All manner of items are turned out here including huge Ilocano burnay jars which are traditionally used for storing everything from fish paste to vinegar. Water buffalos (carabao) are still used to squash the clay under their hooves.
Other Vigan activities worth exploring include watching elderly women weave abel in nearby Camangaan, and also climbing up to the belfry at St Augustine Church in neighbouring Bantay with breathtaking views of the region. Vigan is on the coast and there are a few decent beaches in the surrounds, with Mindoro Beach Resort a great place for a swim.
St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral
St Paul's belltower
Built by Augustinians in around 1790 and featuring a unique ‘earthquake-baroque’ design which supposed to minimise the impact of tremors, this Vigan attraction is a must-see in the town. The brass communion handrail was forged in China and still bears Chinese writing scrawled by its installers. The eight-sided bell tower just south of the cathedral is so positioned that it would not damage the church in case of earthquakes, and adheres to the Oriental principles of Feng-shui.
The tombstone of great Ilocano poet Leona Florentino can be found inside the church by the Plaza Burgos-facing entrance. The Archbishop's Residence next to St Paul’s Cathedral dates back to Spanish colonial times and is the oldest archbishop's residence still being used in the Philippines. (Between Plazas Burgos and Salcedo, admission: free, open daily: 06:00 – 21:00)
Ayala Museum
This historic house and museum used to be home to Father Jose Burgos. It has been perfectly preserved with Ilocano artefacts including weapons, costumes, kitchen utensils, jewellery, coffins, basketry and Burgos Memorabilia. There are paintings and dioramas which depict important events of state history plus a small library. Beside this Vigan tourist attraction is the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail, the birthplace of the Philippines’ first Ilocano president, Elpidio Quirino. (Plaza Burgos, admission: Php10, open: Mon-Fri 08:30-11:30 and 13:30-16:30)
Plaza Salcedo
Vigan is crammed with antiques shops
Just to the west of St Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral is this public square which features a 17th century monument to Juan de Salcedo. Resistance leader Gabriela Silang was also executed by hanging here in 1763.
Mestizo District
This neighbourhood offers a tremendous glimpse into the colonial past of the Philippines and is popular on Vigan sightseeing tours. These ancestral houses were built mostly by Chinese traders employing a mix of local, Asian and Spanish architectural motifs. Movie buffs will recognize these streets from the Tom Cruise movie Born on the Fourth of July (The Hollywood star stayed at the Villa Angela Heritage House hotel in town during the shoot). (Along Mena Crisologo and Plaridel Streets, running south towards the cemetery from Plaza Burgos)
The Crisologo Museum
This Vigan attraction was once home to late Congressman Floro Crisologo and his wife Carmeling, who was a former governor of Ilocos Sur. It contains papers, artwork and assorted memorabilia of the Congressman and his family. (De Los Reyes Street, Tel: +63 (0)77 722 2727 open: 09:00 - 17:00)
