Things to see and do Vigan

St. Paul's Cathedral in Vigan is known for its baroque architecture and more specifically "earthquake baroque", an architectural style unique to the Philippines. For example, the bell tower was built next to the main body of the church so that it would not collapse inside in case of an earthquake. It was built by the Augustinians between 1790 and 1800. It is really gigantic. The tomb of Leona Florentino, poetess of Ilocano, the first woman of letters of the country, can be seen there (on a column near the entrance on Plaza Burgos).

Rather isolated, it was used as a supply point during the Second World War. A small fishing village today occupies the very pleasant places due to the white sandy beaches for the greatest pleasure of the visitors.

This museum is located in the former home of the martyr Padre José Burgos, who was executed by the Spaniards in 1872. The visit allows to get acquainted with the history of the province and the way of life of the inhabitants of the time (pottery, tools, clothes, jewelry). Also on display are 14 paintings by Esteban Villanueva (a businessman and self-taught artist), done in 1821, which evoke the Basi revolt of 1807. Basi is a sugarcane wine, and this revolt followed the prohibition by the Spaniards of all basi production in the provinces of Ilocos.

One of the largest beaches in the region. The sand is grey and the waters are crystal clear. Some small resorts have settled to accommodate the few tourists.

Its name comes from that of a plant of very abundant mangroves once. The U.S. submarines used to stand here to unload their weapons.

It was built in 1590, then renovated in 1950 after an earthquake. It is famous for its architecture mixing neo-Gothic and Romanesque styles. Its bell tower or belfry, located on a hillock, was used as an observatory during the war(bantay means "to keep"). You can climb up (94 steps) to enjoy a beautiful view of Vigan and the South China Sea in the distance. There are five bells of different sizes; each one was rung during various events: mass, wedding, baptism, burial or warning of approaching enemies.

It offers banca tours to follow the river (100 P per person). Unfortunately, the river is getting dirtier and dirtier because of the villages that border it and the tour is not really interesting.

This pottery factory inherited the name Pagburnayan (steel jar) because the jars it produces are as hard as metal and sound the same when knocked. The manufacturing process is simple: a mixture of sand, clay and water is obtained after 4 hours of trampling with a carabao (buffalo); the mud is sculpted and then left to dry for a week in the fresh air. The pots are fired for 24 hours in a large kiln of 50 m length. You can visit the workshop, buy clay items and even try your hand at making them.

It is 1 hour south of Vigan. It is one of the most famous baroque churches in the Philippines and has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Built at the end of the ^18th century, it was used as a fortress during the Philippine revolution of 1896. It belongs to the architectural movement that characterizes Philippine churches of the colonial era, the tremor baroque. Faced with earthquakes, the churches were built lower, with thick walls of clay and mortar and the bell tower often set apart.