THEMATIC
Vigan City, located in Ilocos Sur, is one of the most well-preserved heritage cities in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 16th century during the Spanish colonial period, Vigan became an important trading post where Asian, European, and indigenous Filipino cultures met and blended. This unique mix of influences is reflected in the city’s architecture, traditions, and way of life, making it a living example of the Philippines’ colonial past. The city’s urban design and architecture are among its most striking features. Its famous Calle Crisologo is lined with ancestral houses built with thick stone walls, hardwood floors, and capiz-shell windows—an architectural style known as Bahay na Bato. The cobblestone streets, antique lamp posts, and kalesas (horse-drawn carriages) transport visitors back to the Spanish era. These structures have been carefully preserved, allowing people to experience what a 16th- to 18th-century colonial town looked like. Beyond its...