The Mestizo District offers a wonderful glimpse into the Philippines’ colonial past. The ancestral houses were mostly built by Chinese traders using a mixture of local, Asian and Spanish architectural styles. The Mestizo district is some of the visible tourist spots in the city of Vigan, Philippines. It offers a wonderful glimpse into the Philippines’ colonial past. A majestic place
St. Paul‘s Metropolitan Cathedral was built by Augustinians around 1790 and features a unique design intended to minimize earthquake damage; a style that came to be known as “earthquake baroque”. Look out for the brass communion handrails forged in China, complete with Chinese characters scrawled by its ancient installers (if you look closely). The eight-sided bell tower is just south
It is an ancestral house turned into a museum that offers a peek into local life a century ago. This unassuming structure may be passed off as a drab old building but inside lies a treasure trove that would float the boat of any archaeological and ethnological geek. This is the Burgos/Ayala Museum a 19th century structure that used to
The Syquia Mansion which houses President Qurino’s extensive memorabilia is actually owned by his wife, Dona Alicia Quirino. Her ancestor was a Chinese who made his fortune in the robust trading in Vigan. Sy Kia’s pride in his Asian heritage can be seen by visitors to the Syquia mansion where they can view a portrait of him with his braided
Baluarte, the only one of its kind in the country. Not just a zoo, Baluarte is an interactive wildlife sanctuary and facility, with the breathtaking view of its dominating scenic boulders amidst trees and greens. They are dedicated to facilitating education, conservation and protection of endangered species and wildlife. Children and those who are young at heart will rediscover life
The Calle Crisologo is the street where many tourist visit because it is actually the highlight in their Vigan City trip. When you are in this streets it’s like you are on a time travel. Old cobbled streets, calesas and old houses, silent witnesses of the past. Calle Crisologo is probably the most famous street in Vigan, known for it’s
Plaza Burgos is the smaller of the two major plazas in the city of Vigan. It can be found just right beside Saint Paul Cathedral’s Bell Tower.While Plaza Salcedo was constructed to honor a foreign conqueror, Juan de Salcedo, Plaza Burgos was built to remember the martyrdom of Father Jose P. Burgos, one of Vigan’s illustrious sons put to death
The museum used to be the residence of Floro “Flor” Crisologo and his family. The Crisologo clan is one of the principal families of Vigan and Flor Crisologo was a congressman who worked towards the ratification of the Tobacco Law and the establishment of the Social Security System. On October 18, 1970, Crisologo was standing in a communion line in
Plaza Salcedo west of the cathedral features a 17th Century monument to Juan de Salcedo, and was also the site of resistance leader Gabriela Silang’s public hanging in 1763. The Plaza itself was named after the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo, who explored the northern part of Luzon island, todo en nombre de España (all in the name of Spain)
The Archbishop’s Palace (or the Palacio del Arzopispado), which faces the Plaza Salcedo, was finished in 1783 (it took seven years to build). Its interesting architectural features include sliding capiz shell windows, cut-out decorations with flower motifs, and a garden. This building (like most of Vigan and unlike much of Manila, for example) miraculously survived the destruction brought by the
Combinations of 19th century feel with 21th century coziness for your convenience and pleasure. From the authentic ancestral home structure to the warm welcome and efficient service of their staff, Gordion Hotel is a twin ancestral house with a courtyard and ruins that lets you experience the feeling of “a place like no other”. This Hotel is the perfect place
Vigan is an island which is separated from the mainland by three bodies of water: the Abra River, the Mestizo River, and the Govantes River. The city is unique in the Philippines because it is one of many extensive surviving Philippine historic cities, dating back to the 16th century. Vigan was a coastal trading post long before the Spaniards arrived;
Visit St. Augustine Church in nearby Bantay and climb up its belfry to get a breath-taking view of the town. The Bantay Belfry Tower is only ten minuites away from Vigan. It is a known tourist destination not only for its historic background but also because of the great view of the city when you reach the top. It is
Specialties: Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Double Cheeseburger, McChicken, Fillet-O-Fish, Cheeseburger, Burger McDo, Chicken McDo, Nuggets, Crispy Chicken Fillet, Spaghetti, Barbeque Beef McDo, French Fries, Apple Pie, Caramel Sundae, Hot Fudge Sundae and McFlurry Cuisine: American Ambiance: Cozy, Cheerful, Resembles the old Spanish houses Location: P. Burgos Corner Jacinto Streets, Vigan, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
My Vigan Home is a very lovely old house converted into a hotel located in the historic part of Vigan City. They have 9 beautiful rooms each well-appointed with modern amenities like Cable TV, Hot shower, and Wi-Fi. Each room has soft colors and with beautiful antique decorations. The Plaza, and the cobblestoned Calle Crisologo, which is lined up with
The Bagnet requires a longer process to prepare. Choice cuts from the pig (usually its side called three layers) are made into Bagnet. Sinublan or Kawa (a very large iron pot) is usually used to boil the meat. The crispier the pork skin becomes, the harder to resist. That is the secret of the mouth-watering Bagnet- the crispy, crackling blistered
Specialties: Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Double Cheeseburger, McChicken, Fillet-O-Fish, Cheeseburger, Burger McDo, Chicken McDo, Nuggets, Crispy Chicken Fillet, Spaghetti, Barbeque Beef McDo, French Fries, Apple Pie, Caramel Sundae, Hot Fudge Sundae and McFlurry Cuisine: American Ambiance: Cozy, Cheerful, Resembles the old Spanish houses Location: P. Burgos Corner Jacinto Streets, Vigan, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Specialties: Max’s Fried Chicken, Kare-Kare, Pancit Canton, Crispy Pata, Fresh Lumpiang Ubod, Sinigang Baboy, Sinigang Hipon, Bicol ExpressMax’s Tapa, Max’s Tocino, Chicken Sisig Cuisine: Filipino, Asian Ambiance: It has a Spanish-colonial period Ambiance because the restaurant is built with the resemblance of the old houses. Location: The Heritage Village Mena Crisologo St., Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Cant’ get enough of Vigan Empanada? Here’s a simple-to-follow steps in case you want to try cooking empanada at home. Ingredients: For Casing: 1 1/2 cup Rice Flour Orange food coloring (optional) 1/2 cup Water 1 tbsp. Oil (for greasing) Cooking oil (for frying) For Filling: 1 Grated Green Papaya (blanched & squeezed with salt to extract bitter taste) 4
Leila’s Cafe is a charming little coffee shop located between Grafika and Los Majitos. This coffe shop is named after Leila Aguilar-Singson. You’ll notice pictures of her at the walls of the Café. They mostly serve crepes, coffee, tea, sandwiches, and all day breakfast item as well as pasta, pastries, and fraps. One must-try in this Café is Graceland —
