Vigan City, almost 500 kms north of Manila, is a one of the two cities in the Province of Ilocos Sur. It is also the capital of the said province province.
The area, upon conquest by Juan de Salcedo, was called Villa Fernandina, after the Spanish King Philip II's son, Ferdinand.
Eventually, the settlement grew, because of these, the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, originally from Lallo, Cagayan was transferred here, 1758.
Contemporary Times
Vigan is the best preserved European planned city in Asia. By 1980's, destruction of the Old Buildings reduced the area of the Old Spanish settlement. By 1993, construction of new buildings became heavily regulated in favor of the restoration of the Old Ones. In 1999, the UNESCO declared the city as one of the Heritage Sites, making it the only village to be a Heritage Site by UNESCO creating a boost for the restoration program of the Town.
Vigan was reduced to a municipality in the reorganization of the Philippines after Spanish Rule. Before that Vigan was already a city, by virtue of a Royal Decree of King Fernando VI of Spain. It was reinstated as a city 2001 by RA 8988 and approved at a plebiscite 2001.
Places you must Go
- Heritage City, the Old Settlement which includes the Old Town and the most famous of them is Calle Crisologo, the only cobblestone street in the whole heritage village.
- Plaza Burgos, this is Padre Jose Burgos' Home.
- Plaza Salcedo, this is where the Unesco Heritage inscription is found.
- Baluarte, a zoo being kept by the Governor Chavit Sinsgon.
Photos
Click on photos for High Resolution
No comments:
Post a Comment