Northern Luzon - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 141

away so that it stood a chance of surviving if the church itself collapsed. Given Vigan's
history, it's not surprising that there's some Chinese influence; see, for example, the
brass communion handrails.

Museo Nueva Segovia
Nueva Segovia St • Mon-Fri 9am-noon & 1-4pm • P20 • T 077 722 2018
he Archbishop's Palace ( Arzobispado ), completed in 1783, is still the o cial residence
of the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia (the old Spanish name for what is now Ilocos Sur).
Inside, the Museo Nueva Segovia showcases ecclesiastical artefacts, antique portraits of
bishops and religious paraphernalia from all over Ilocos Sur.

Burgos National Museum
6 Burgos St • Tues-Sun 8.30am-noon & 1-5pm • P20 • T 0927 263 1481
he Burgos National Museum was once home to one of the town's most famous
residents, Padre José Burgos, whose martyrdom in 1872 galvanized the revolutionary
movement. Between 1972 and 1975, the building became a branch of PNB bank
- you can still see the teller windows on the ground floor. The first couple of rooms
introduce Ilocano culture and traditions, with displays including farming and fishing
tools, wooden co ns and a nose flute. The third room contains the chamber used to
execute Burgos and his two companions, as well as an informative miniature model
shedding light on the Spanish tobacco monopoly in the early eighteenth century.
Furniture and other Burgos family memorabilia is displayed on the first floor.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

3

VIGAN

By plane The closest airport is in Laoag (see p.148).
By bus Dominion buses arrive at the terminal at the
junction of Quezon and Liberation blvds, while the Partas
terminal is by the city market about 300m south of the old
town. From Laoag, buses arrive at the local bus terminal to
the south of town, also dropping off passengers along the
National Highway opposite the Petron petrol station in
nearby Bantay, a short tricycle ride from Vigan (5min; P15).
If travelling to Vigan from Lingayen, Dagupan or Alaminos

in the Lingayen Gulf, head to Urdaneta and catch a
northbound bus from there (6hr). Note that buses from
Vigan to Manila and Baguio stop off in San Fernando (2hr).
Destinations Baguio (Dominion: hourly; 5hr); Laoag
(Dominion: hourly; 2hr); Manila (Dominion: hourly; 8-9hr;
Partas: hourly, most departures in the afternoon; 10hr).
By van The van terminal is just by the Provincial Capitol
Building. There are regular vans to Santa Maria throughout
the day (leave when full; 45min; P50).

INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist o ce The provincial tourist o ce is at Leona
Florentino House, 1 Crisologo St (daily 8am-5pm; T 077
722 8520, W ilocossur.gov.ph).
Tours A nice way to get around town, the kalesas, or
horsedrawn carriages, also offer tours (P150/hr). Tell
the kutchero (driver) where you want to go, or let them
suggest a route that will take in the main sights; they

normally include a visit to the pretty St Augustine Parish
Church in the nearby town of Bantay. The Heritage
Village Administration Office (daily 8am-5pm) on
Crisologo St runs a free shuttle service to the starting
point for the Vigan heritage river cruise, a 45min boat
trip with recorded commentary (hourly 8.30-11.30am &
1.30-4.30pm; P100).

ACCOMMODATION
Condotel Asuncion Florentino St at Jacinto St T 077
722 8777, E [e-mail]. A good
self-catering option right in the centre of town, a stone's
throw away from Plaza Burgos. The spacious rooms feature
a fully equipped kitchenette with microwave, fridge,
electric stove and kettle, plus flatscreen cable TV and clean
tiled bathrooms. P2000
Gordion Hotel V. De Los Reyes St at Salcedo St T 077
722 2526, W vigangordionhotel.com. This brightly
coloured place offers comfortable, if somewhat musty,

rooms. The large chintzy suite has a huge bathroom with a
roll-top bath, although the room itself is a bit dar k. There
are occasional barbecues in the pleasant courtyard. P2600
Grandpa's Inn 1 Bonifacio St T 077 674 0686,
W grandpas-inn.com. This ancestral house with bare brick
walls and parquet flooring has been converted into a lovely
inn full of old curios. Try room 7, a uniquely furni shed tw in
room where you can sleep in a kalesa (carriage). P1780
★

Hotel Felicidad 9 V. de los Reyes St T 077 722 0008,
W hotelfelicidadvigan.com. A charming option in a