Vigan Holidays
Vigan Holidays
Vigan, one of the oldest towns in the Philippines, is a well-preserved Spanish Colonial town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. While Crisologo St showcases its colonial charm, the rest of Vigan is a bustling Filipino town.
In the Mestizo District, you'll find a grid of streets with ancestral homes blending Chinese and Spanish architectural styles. These mansions, once owned by Vigan's colonial masters and elite Chinese merchants, exhibit a unique blend of influences from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Asia. The ground floor is typically for storage or work, while the wooden first floor features a spacious sala for living. Capiz-shell windows, popular in the 19th century for being affordable and sturdy, add a romantic touch with their unique light patterns. Though some mansions are B&Bs or museums, most remain private homes. Notable houses include the Quema House and the Syquia Mansion, offering a glimpse into traditional Chinese-Spanish mansion interiors.
Before Spanish colonisation, Chinese settlers established a thriving pottery industry in Vigan. Visit pottery factories on Gomez St, where you can even try your hand at the pottery wheel and purchase a small clay souvenir. Explore the Padre José Burgos National Museum, housed in the ancestral home of one of the three martyr priests executed by the Spanish in 1872. The museum features an extensive collection of Ilocano artefacts, including paintings depicting the 1807 Basi Revolt, weavings, Tingguian jewellery, musical instruments, pottery, and historical photographs.