The most beautiful religious buildings 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).

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 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.