Vigan Heritage Village, Ilocos Sur Vigan Heritage Village is a town in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that is considered the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. In November 1999, it was placed on the World Heritage List commemorating its cultural significance. The village was established in the 16th century, when trade and community activity started to flourish along the Mestizo River, lasting up to the 19th century.
The name “Vigan” was derived from a giant taro plant “biga” that grew abundantly along the riverbanks.Most of the materials — such as adobe, pebbles, bricks and posts — were brought from Europe through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. The construction work was done by Chinese laborers. Thus, the village’s architecture reflects a unique fusion of Spanish European and Chinese culture.
It is a World Heritage Site in that it is one of numerous Hispanic towns in the Philippines, and is well-known for its cobblestone streets, and a unique architecture that fuses Philippine building design, and construction with colonial European architecture.This is the preserved tourist attraction of Vigan . This is the only place in Vigan where the cobblestone street have been preserved and the houses/buildings retained their relic-like appearances . Only calesas ( a horse driven carriage, transportation used during spanish era)are allowed to pass through here! It is such a short stretch that people are encouraged to just walk and enjoy eating their "empanada" ( a local bread with meat and potato fillings. It ante-dates Nueva Segovia(Lallo, Cagayan) by at least 20 years since the Legaspi expedition to the north by Spain was via land!!Note that the church architectures are quite similar with San Agustin Church in Intramuros (Manila) and Legaspi Cathedrals(Albay in Bicol).
Vigan Heritage Village in Ilocos Sur is stunningly beautiful at night. It is where Ilocos region’s rich culture and history are crafted in ornate architecture, furniture and detailed ornaments. For this reason, Vigan Heritage Village was considered a UNESCO Heritage Site to preserve the cultural past of the Ilocandia region.Visitors can explore the area of Vigan Heritage Village via a kalesa ride, available near the Vigan church, or they can walk through the village of rows of residential buildings built during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. Vigan Heritage Village was designed just like a typical town during the Spanish era in the Philippines.
At the center is a square with the church on one side and the municipal building on the other side Walking through the village can reveal much about the old Ilocos culture, which was centered on farming. Here are just some of the curious items up close and their roles in the lives of Ilocanos, past and present.
