On a tour up north, you just can’t miss old Hispanic Vigan houses.
These heritage buildings will let you have a blast from the past through commercial
structures that have been preserved throughout centuries gone by. Some of them
may date all the way back to 1572 or earlier, when Vigan was first established.
Calle Crisologo was our second and last stop after Baluarte. It’s
only a hired tricycle ride away from the zoo (paid Php60 pesos). The moment we
stepped through old brick paths, we were greeted by kalesa drivers. So we took
the chance to roam around in awe of cobblestone buildings while on board the
kalesa.
Through this calle as well nearby roads, you’d find hotels,
restaurants, souvenir stores, and coffee shops (something I won’t miss as a
coffee lover) like Coffee Break Vigan. Although most establishments are commercial
in nature now, the ancient structures have at least been preserved. You’ll
notice the architectural wonder peeping through light brown brick stones still
intact despite two world wars and several centuries past.
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| brick paths |
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| brick walls peeping through |
After surveying the place aboard a kalesa, it’s best to walk around
in order to better appreciate what the old houses have to offer. Souvenir shops
offering various products including clothing, accessories, and home décor abound.
Have a taste of local delicacies too including products Ilocos is famous for
such as bagnet (crispy lechon Ilocos style), longganisa, empanada, and okoy.
My first trip to Vigan was more than a decade ago and I can’t remember
much from that trip anymore. But I’m sure that even after years, decades, and
centuries more, these old Vigan houses will continue to amaze us and our
descendants to be.
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