Visiting the Spanish District of the North

Since a month long vacation is coming, I’m planning to have week-long vacation at Vigan to explore its Spanish era building and delicious Ilocano cuisine.

Busy Calle Crisologo

Vigan is one of Philippines' most beautiful cities, as it showcases the Spanish heritage of the country. Vigan city is located in the northern part of the Philippines and its historical centre, which is called the heritage village, is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list since 2 December 1999 for its unique Spanish colonial history in Asia and the very well preserved Spanish monumental buildings which where build in the 18th century.


The major attraction of Vigan is its mestizo district which is filled with Spanish-style houses that stir up a bygone era when its people lived comfortably because of the Manila-Acapulco maritime trade.

Calle Crisologo at night

I experience being transported back to this period in Philippine-Spanish colonial time, a walk or a calesa ride through Vigan’s Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street is a must.

Must ride Caleza

Tiange for Pasalubong

The tour will take more than a couple of hours and will cost around half a thousand pesos if you like the native products for “pasalubong”. You will be guided through four blocks of cobblestone streets lined with heritage houses of the families of the Filipino-Chinese traders who rose to prominence during that time of vigorous trading in abel cloth, indigo, gold, tobacco and other goods that were transported to Vigan from all over the North.

The houses are simple but lovely subjects ready for picture-perfect shots with their roofs of red tiles, thick walls, huge doors and stair cases leading to rooms of high ceilings and sliding capiz shell windows. Having survived the many natural and man-made calamities throughout the centuries, the families who own these treasures have endeavored to maintain them.

I admire more closely the architecture and intricate craftsmanship employed in the grill and wood works when they step inside some of the houses that have been turned into stores and museums.

Classic Calle

Though a trip to Calle Crisologo is enjoyable during the day especially because of the opportunity to shop for Vigan’s best products (antiques, abel woven products, bags, basi wine, burnay and dimili products, chicharon, jewellery, sweets, Vigan vinegar and woodcrafts) in the unobtrusive shops located in the ground floor of some of the grand houses, a walk through it is magical at night. However, when I was browsing the net, I noticed picture perfect scene during night because of the light. I decided to go back that night to capture the scenic Calle Crisologo.

Since it is closed to vehicular traffic at any time of the day, the stillness and shadows that come with the night adds more to the 18th century ambience of the lamp-lit street that local and foreign visitors love. Couples can take advantage of this romantic atmosphere by having dinner in one of the old houses that has been converted to a restaurant.

Plaza Burgos

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. Plaza Burgos was named after Father Burgos of the historic GOMBURZA.

Father Burgos is the only one from the clergy. He fought for ecclesiastical reforms to ease the inequality suffered by Filipino priests during his time. He was executed in Manila’s Bagumbayan together with two other clergy reformists. They are collectively known in Philippine history as the Gomburza, which stands for their surnames Gomez, Burgos and Zamora.

Plaza Burgos is best-known for its empanadahan (place for eating a local meat and vegetable-filled pastry) and other street food. It is true that where local people converge the best of local food can be found. Food kiosks increase in number in the Plaza later in the day. The Vigan experience is not complete without trying the local ice-cream peddled in the plaza which is served in a cone or in the popular Filipino bread called pan de sal.

Empanada - Yummy Ilocano Food

St. Paul Cathedral

The St. Paul’s Cathedral is also known as the metropolitan Cathedral. It is considered a major religious landmark not only of northern Luzon but the country as well.

The church as it stands now was completed in 1800. The original structure was built in 1574 upon the command of the Spanish founder of Vigan, Juan de Salcedo. It was a mere chapel then, made of wood and thatch. In 1641, the chapel was replaced by a church.

The cathedral follows a Baroque architectural design that has been modified by Ilocano’s to strengthen the structure against earthquakes. This is now known as earthquake Baroque.

Side View showing the Facade

The façade is not as impressive as other churches; the cathedral’s interior is something to be admired. The presence of a silver-panelled main altar, three naves, 12 minor altars and brass communion handrails forged in China gives the inside of the church a feeling of grandeur. The area for the choir is located at the loft, making use of the big church’s acoustics.

I decided to take a rest in the plaza after exploring the historical places. I thought I was in Spain for three hours unknowingly that I am just here in Vigan.

Son plus de plaisir dans les Philippines en raison de Vigan!

Way Points:


By Land:

Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines: Rizal Ave., Manila & EDSA, Q.C. Tel # 734-9838, 734-9836

Dominion Bus Line: New York St., Cubao, Q.C. Tel # 731-4180, 741-4146

Partas Bus Company: Aurora Blvd., Q.C. Tel. # 725-7303, 724-9820

Maria de Leon Transit: Dapitan cor. Gelinos Sts., Sampaloc, Manila Tel # 731-4907

By Air:

PAL (Philippine Airlines) flies to Laoag City 3 times a week. Laoag, 80 kilometers away from Vigan takes about 1½ hours to commute or Zest Air leave Manila twice a week for Vigan City, Fridays and Sundays at 2:30 PM.