Vigan City: The Pride Heritage of Ilocos Sur

Thinking of someplace for a momentous holiday stopover? Try one the Philippines’ fascinating sceneries — the UNESCO World Heritage Spot in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

One of the notable miscellanies of the ancient Spanish, and primeval architecture is dispersed all through the heart of the city. Derived from the local term “Biga”, the name Vigan refers to a gigantic plant named “taro”. This plant copiously breeds down the riverbanks of Mestizo River. So far, it is the oldest existing colonial metropolis in the Philippine country.

The most appropriate time to visit the city is during the renowned town gala and the holy week.

Town Gala. It is a kind of festivity commemorating the alteration of an apostle named St. Paul. During this kind of merriment, beauty pageants, variety shows and street parades are pompously presented in the town plaza. The celebration seizes one entire week and would wrap up on the 25th of January.

Holy Week. It is one of the Philippine’s devout customs happening in the last week of March to the first week of April. This religious event is marked by the parade of life-sized effigies, historical statuettes escalated on ornately designed carrozas, a great spectacle on the streets.

Other than the well-known fiesta celebration, Vigan also offers a lot of fascinating places for both the neighboring and foreign sightseers. These would include the ancestral house of Padre Jose Burgos – the Burgos National Museum, featuring the paintings of the great Esteban Villanueva, which portray the Basi Revolt in the year 1807. Other bizarre spots you should not miss in Vigan are the Palacio de Arzobispado, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Old Vigan Colonial Houses.

The remarkable place of Vigan City is just about 400 kilometers away from Manila. Hence, it is going to be just a cozy voyage by air (via Philippine Air Lines) or by sea (via ferry) whichever transportation means you would favor. Land transportation by means of buses taking the route from Manila to Vigan is the most common travel preference. Though, it is going to be a seven-hour trip (utmost).

Accommodation in Vigan would never be a setback. It is because the city offers picturesque inns and hotels to stay, offering safety and console to every guest. Various types of foods are astoundingly served by a range of restaurants and bars.

Is it by now integrated in your Philippine vacation package? Well, try to visualize over the incredible sites ahead of you in the Philippines’ remarkable heritage. Certainly, Vigan City is worth your precious visit! You’ll find out why, when you get there…