If you’re a fan of Old World European architecture
About 400 km from Manila is the city of Vigan. It is a well-preserved Spanish colonial town in Asia, complete with cobblestone streets and a design that fuses European colonial architecture with Asian designs creating one charming and unique atmosphere. The name Vigan was derived from “Biga”, a giant taro plant that grows abundantly along the banks of the Mestizo River.
One can see precious remnants of old Spanish architecture throughout the center of the city. Established in the 16th century, its cultural heritage consists of more than 180 ancestral houses, administrative and religious structures, public squares and other historical landmarks built during the 18th and 19th centuries. Several museums exist for the many national heroes that were born here. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Vigan is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Philippines.
