This is my favorite spot in Vigan, for me the Bantayan Belfry is majestic and it’s the only belfry that gives me the creeps whenever I’m inside and on top of the bell tower. Its so old and it stood here since the 1590’s together with the St. Augustine Church. It stood on a hill and its like a watch tower for incoming ships, invading enemies or a watch tower for the entire town.
Bantayan Belfry is made up of bricks and the stairs inside are made of wood.
I’m glad that they are taking care of this tower and it survived many earthquakes and also World Wars.
View from below
Going up!!!!
spotted Jeman at the 2nd floor of the tower
Me at the 2nd floor…with knees getting cold, because the level is too high for me, Im not afraid of heights, but I’m getting paranoid because of the wooden floor. Spotted below is Rey and Cristelle.
The wooden stairwell going to the top of the tower
Brick stairwell from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor
Me at the 2nd level hahhah chilling and worried ahhahah
Here’s the Bantayan church bell, the bell is popular because the movie “Panday” , starring Fernando Poe Jr. was here, its one of my favorite movie classics, they say that FPJ pulled the sword through the bell. I’m not sure if the hole in the bell is done by the movie production or maybe it got the hole before the movie was taken.
I think I should watch that movie again….
close up look…. I hug the bell..because it helped Panday to wield the sword of good inside the bell.
Me at the 3rd floor and top of the tower
You can view the entire town here
Courageous tourist climb up here at the top and never think of the wooden floor.. I even told the incoming tourist to wait for us to come down and I’m just careful not to overload the top floor with lots of people. The wooden floor might collapse.
I got paranoid on top… because the floor creeks whenever we walk around.
On the other side of the tower’s window, you can see two mountains meeting together and also the town’s cemetery.
Bantayan Belfry is a must see and visit site here in Vigan. Add this to your itinerary!
How to go here in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
1. There are two travel options – ride the 8 hour bus from Manila to Ilocos Sur or ride the plane go Laoag City Airport in Ilocos Norte + 1 1/2 land travel to Vigan.
2. We went here via chartered plane of Gov. Chavit Singson, we landed at Vigan City airport, if you have a company trip and want to travel by air, you can try a chartered plane by Sea Air, just inquire to their office on how to get a chartered plane.
3. Air - Domestic flights leave Manila daily for Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, which is an hour and a half ride by bus or arranged vehicles to Vigan. The city can be reached from Laoag City via Partas Bus, Fari̱as Transportation, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Trans, and Florida Bus. РVia http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
4. By Land - The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Air-conditioned Partas Bus, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
5. Getting Around - The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the city center is small and compact, yet full of excitement. Experience a calesa ride around Vigan at P150.00 per hour per carriage. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
6. If you are in Vigan City, there are lots of transportation, you can ride the tricycle or the “kalesa”, horse drawn carriage. The “kalesa” can be rented at Php 100 per hour.
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
http://www.vigancity.gov.ph/
For Schedules of City Events and Tours please contact the City Tourism Office. Tel No: (077) 722-8771,
Baluarte in Vigan City
http://chavitsingson.net/baluarte/index.html
Opens - 7am-6pm eve
ryday, entrance is free
Tel # 6377-722-7186
Historic Town of Vigan @ UNESCO
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502
* Thanks to Governor Chavit Singson for inviting us to tour around Vigan City
Read my complete Vigan travel blog series
for any questions or inquiries, feel free to email me at azrael@gmail.com
Discovering Vigan City - Ilocos Sur trip part 1
