Tourist Attractions in Vigan Islands Philippines

"Vigan Houses: Vigan City Islands PhilippinesThe Vigan Houses
The Vigan ancestral houses were built by Chinese taipans who made fortunes out of indigo dye, abel fabrics, gold, tobacco and other export items. The massive brick and plaster houses with red tiled roofs and imposing doorways, grand staircases, broad narra floorboards and piedra china, sliding capiz windows and ventanillas and cool azotea reflect the artistic and technological craftsmanship of the 18th and 19th century native artisans who developed an architectural style adapted to the earthquake-prone tropics.

Calle Crisologo: Vigan City Islands PhilippinesCalle Crisologo
Further south of the Cathedral, one finds the stretch of Calle Mena Crisologo lined with ancestral. These houses, built by the Biguenos of Chinese ancestry engaged in trade, barter and manufacture o findigo dye, abel (woven) fabric, gold, tobacco and other goods. Being the only surviving colonial city in the country, Vigan has more than 180 ancestral houses and historical landmarks tightly strung along the narrow streets of the old Mestizo District, popularly known then as Kasanglayan (Chinese quarters).

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral
The cathedral was build by the Augustinians 1790-1800 in distinctive "Earthquake Baroque" architecture. It has three naives , twelve altars and a choir loft. Chinese influence is evident in its baptistry altar, China-forged brass communion handrails, a pair of Fu Dogs and moldings on the facade. Most of the original church interior features and artifacts are still in place. The octagonal church belfry is located 15 meters south of the cathedral.

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral: Vigan City Islands Philippines

Just recently, its museum Museo San Pablo was opened to public which showcases ecclesiastical artifacts and other religious crafts of the past."