Whenever I hear about Vigan or see a post online, Calle Crisologo can't be taken out of the topic. This must be one of the most known cobblestone street in the Philippines.
A LITTLE BIT OF VIGAN'S HISTORY
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.
There is, however, a noticeable difference between Vigan and contemporary Spanish colonial towns in Latin America in the Historic Core (known as the Mestizo district), where the Latin tradition is tempered by strong Chinese, Ilocano, and Filipino influences.
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The total area of the inscribed property is 17.25 hectares. The traditional Hispanic checkerboard street plan opens up into two adjacent plazas. The Plaza Salcedo is the longer arm of an L-shaped open space, with the Plaza Burgos as the shorter.
The urban plan of the town closely conforms with the Renaissance grid plan specified in the Ley de la Indias for all new towns in the Spanish Empire.
As its name implies, this district was settled by affluent families of mixed Chinese-Ilocano origin. The area contains the historic footprint of the entire town and consists of a total of 233historic buildings tightly strung along a grid of 25 streets.
The two storey structures are built of brick and wood, with a steeply pitched roof reminiscent of traditional Chinese architecture. The exterior walls of the upper storey are enclosed by window panels of kapis shells framed in wood which can be slid back for better ventilation. Most of the existing buildings were probably built in the mid 18th to late 19th centuries.
For Your Trip to Vigan
How much does it cost to visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur? Click below to compare rates and discounts online:
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ABOUT CALLE CRISOLOGO
Unknown to many, before the name Calle Crisologo street, it was called Calle Escolta de Vigan upon the discovery of the town by Juan de Salcedo in 1572. The street served as the commercial hub in the entire Northern Luzon and was established even before the Galleon Trade.
Calle Crisologo was also called “Kasanglayan” (place of the Chinese), which was the business center of the foreign migratory traders including Chinese, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese and other European businessmen.
In the late 1890s, the Calle de Escolta De Vigan was renamed to Washington Street during the American rule. On September 1, 1901, the Americans had established a civil government in Ilocos Sur with Don Mena Crisologo, a delegate to the Malolos Congress, as the first provincial governor.
WHAT TO PACK FOR VIGAN
Here are some things you might consider bringing with you for your day tour / adventure:
- Stylish face mask
- Water container/tumbler to rehydrate
- Sunscreen for skin protection
- Goggles for swimming or snorkeling
- Stylish Swimsuit
- Travel backpack / luggage
- Reusable vacuum storage packs
- Selfie stick
- Waterproof phone case
- Acion cam
- Camping tent
- WiFi kit
- Power bank
Shopee is my go-to app for things I needed like the ones above. If you'd like discounts and vouchers, you may get the best offers here:
THINGS TO DO AT CALLE CRISOLOGO
More than just a cobblestone street, Calle Crisologo has many to offer. Here are some things you can do while you are at Calle Crisologo:
- Tour around the Heritage Village
- Shop Souvenirs
- Food trip
- Ride the kalesa
- Take lots of selfies
Tour Around the Heritage Village
Calle Crisologo is more than just a cobblestone street but also has a rich history you should know about. Just like the walled city of Intramuros, you will be stunned with the preserved beauty of the Heritage Village.
From the Calle Crisologo description to Calle Crisologo love story (which is by the way heartwarming), you’ll definitely be entertained!
Dine and Eat Vigan Delicacies
Calle Crisologo location is a haven for foodies, too. Wherever you look, you’ll find an exquisite restaurant, hole-in-the-wall cafes, or eateries that serve oh-so-yummy food!
When in Vigan, you must try their famous Vigan longganisa and empanada. You will not leave without having having a happy tummy!
Shop Souvenirs
Did you know? Calle Crisologo street is a shopping haven. You will see the whole street lined up with lots of cool restaurants, souvenir shops, and antique shops.
The best part, everything is so affordable so you don’t have to spend a fortune when shopping for souvenirs.
Ride the Kalesa
Riding the horse carriage or kalesa is a famous mode of transportation in Calle Crisologo street. The experience will bring you back to the Spanish colonial time where the main mode of transportation is via kalesa.
The rates range from PHP 500 depending on how far and how long you’ll rent it.
Take lots of selfies
Of course, you will not leave Vigan without having bunch of photos! Why not take the best shots for the memories of fun and enjoyment you had in a historic place like this?
And note, every corner of Vigan, especially Calle Crisologo, is Instagrammable.
HOW TO GET TO CALLE CRISOLOGO
Calle Crisologo is located inside Heritage Village in Vigan City. Depending on your transportation budget and schedule, there are commonly two options on how to go to Calle Crisologo Vigan: land travel and plane. For land travel, going to Vigan from Manila will take roughly 8-10 hours.
By Bus
The cheapest and common way to travel to Vigan is by bus. Some of the buses that have direct trips daily are Partas, Dominion Bus Lines, Viron Transit, and St. Joseph/Aniceto Transit, while Philippine Rabbit, FariƱas, Maria de Leon, Florida Bus, Baliwag, and RCJ Transit have regular trips that pass by Vigan via the Manila-Laoag route.
By Private Car
From Manila, you should take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) route.
For those who are bringing own vehicle, you may use Waze or Google Maps for directions. If you don’t have a private vehicle, you can rent a car or van here.
By Plane
If you have a tight schedule and want to save time, you can opt to travel by plane. However, there are no direct flights to Vigan, but you can fly from Manila to Laoag Airport and ride a bus to Vigan. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offer flights daily routing Manila-Laoag and vv. Vigan is just a 2-hour bus ride from Laoag City.
For airfare and transportation, you may check PISO FARE promos or you can directly compare air, sea and land travel fare and prices here:
Calle Crisologo
Address: Heritage Village, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Calle Crisologo
- What is the meaning of Calle Crisologo?
Calle Crisologo is the main attraction in Vigan. This famous street was named after a writer and politician Don Mena Crisologo. - What is Vigan famous for?
Vigan is famous for its well-preserved Spanish Colonial town, historical Vigan tourist spots, and delicious food and delicacies. Because of Vigan’s old-world charm, it has been inscribed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. - Who is Crisologo of Vigan?
The Crisologo of Vigan is the writer and politician Don Mena Crisologo. - Why do tourists visit Vigan?
Firstly, Vigan is the best-preserved planned Spanish colonial city in Asia and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List; secondly, the cobblestone streets of well-restored Calle Crisologo are traffic free which is such a relief when traveling in Asia so you can focus only on sightseeing.
WHERE TO STAY IN VIGAN
Here's a list of hotels and resorts to book for a stay in Vigan City:- Hotel Luna - Check Rates & Availability
- Ciudad Fernandina Hotel - Check Rates & Availability
- Regency Hotel de Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
- Paradores de Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
- Hotel Mercante - Check Rates & Availability
- Hotel Veneto de Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
- West Loch Park Hotel Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
- Hotel Luna - Check Rates & Availability
- Ciudad Fernandina Hotel - Check Rates & Availability
- Regency Hotel de Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
- Paradores de Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
- Hotel Mercante - Check Rates & Availability
- Hotel Veneto de Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
- West Loch Park Hotel Vigan - Check Rates & Availability
ALSO IN ILOCOS
- TOP 10 Must-See Sights in Ilocos Norte (Best Tourist Spots!)
- The Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag City
- Bangui Wind Turbines, the First Wind Farm in the Philippines
- MalacaƱang of the North and the Marcoses
- Patapat Viaduct - Connecting Ilocos and Cagayan Valley
- 4x4 Adventure at Paoay Sand Dunes
- Saint Augustine Church AKA Paoay Church
- La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel of Badoc
- Blue Lagoon, The Boracay of the North
- Kapurpurawan Rock Formation of Burgos
- Cape Bojeador Lighthouse of Burgos
- Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac
- 10 Ilocano Food That Will Make You Crave For
- TOP 10 Must-See Sights in Ilocos Norte (Best Tourist Spots!)
- The Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag City
- Bangui Wind Turbines, the First Wind Farm in the Philippines
- MalacaƱang of the North and the Marcoses
- Patapat Viaduct - Connecting Ilocos and Cagayan Valley
- 4x4 Adventure at Paoay Sand Dunes
- Saint Augustine Church AKA Paoay Church
- La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel of Badoc
- Blue Lagoon, The Boracay of the North
- Kapurpurawan Rock Formation of Burgos
- Cape Bojeador Lighthouse of Burgos
- Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac
- 10 Ilocano Food That Will Make You Crave For
WHERE TO GO IN ILOCOS?
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