Vigan is the capital of Ilocos Sur, located on the west coast of the island of Luzon. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, it is a rare, nearly intact example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia. An entire district is closed to traffic, reserved for pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages. Its cobbled streets and architectural style blending European and Asian influences are worth a visit.
Vigan has a population of approximately 55,000 inhabitants, and its name traces back to the conquistador Juan de Salcedo, who noted the abundant vegetation in the region. He had also asked the natives about the plants they grew and had received the answer “Biga’a” from which Vigan is derived.
To be precise, originally its name was Villa Fernandina, in honor of the first child of King Philip II of Spain, Ferdinand. And as the city expanded, the Diocese of Nueva Segovia settled there and the name became Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan.
The discovery of Vigan is done in the traditional way, in a horse-drawn carriage. During this walk, you will make several stops, including by:
- The Bantay church,
- A local pottery workshop,
- The church of San Vincente Ferrer,
- The National Museum of the Philippines in the Padre Burgos House.
Take the time to walk through the quiet and typical streets of Vigan in the afternoon (and at night when they are deserted for the best photos). Don’t hesitate to stop at one of the cafes to try their chocolatey delights!
The region also offers beautiful opportunities, especially when heading to Laoag where you can stop to visit Sitio Remedios in Currimao, the San Agustin Church, the sand dunes of Paoay, the Marcos Museum, and the Malacanang of the North. And if time permits, the Sta Monica Church in Sarrat, also in Ilocos Norte, is worth a visit.
This magnificent heritage city is located on the west coast of the island of Luzon.
Have you ever visited Vigan? If you haven’t explored this city yet, contact us to include it in your next trip!
