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The background picture is one of the few I took while visiting the city!

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Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Historic City of Vigan.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502/.

"Philippines : Vigan City celebrates World Heritage Cities Solidarity Cultural Festival 2018." Mena Report, 22 Sept. 2018. Gale Academic Onefile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A555262583/AONE?u=sjdc_main&sid=AONE&xid=184819f9. Accessed 25 Oct. 2019.

“Vigan: The Home of Ancient Cultural History in the Philippines.” Driftwood Journeys, 11 Mar. 2014, http://driftwoodjourneys.com/vigan-the-home-of-ancient-cultural-history-in-the-philippines/.

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Later, Vigan’s church, or St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, was then finished building in the 1800s and is the same one still seen today. The Roman Catholic cathedral is one of the religious landmarks in the Luzon area and is a must when visiting the city. Starting off as a wooden chapel in 1578, it was rebuilt as a cathedral after a few earthquakes that occurred later on. Local Ilocanos started to modify the cathedral so as to withstand the future earthquakes. The cathedral is accompanied by a bell tower that sits 15 meters away and both located between Plaza Burgos and Plaza Salcedo. Past Chinese residents of Vigan influenced the design of the belltower and the facade above the entrance door. Another must see attraction of Vigan is the Baluarte Zoo where families can take their children to explore many animals such as lions, tigers, peacocks and more.

Photo by me of the Cathedral in Vigan

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Towards the end of the 18th century, Vigan was beginning to be built. The buildings in Vigan are typically two stories with roofs inspired by Chinese architecture and are placed on either side of the streets. The first floor of the buildings was used as business shops where the Chinese could open shops, storerooms as well as offices. While the second floor was where the Chinese immigrants would typically live, their businesses would just be right below them. Besides its architecture, Vigan uses European inspired transportation along with their use of tricycles and jeepneys. The use of carriages was pulled by horses that roamed around the streets so that its visitors can experience Vigan without having to walk all the streets.

https://images.app.goo.gl/4agkNx9JnKgiT4SB8

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Before Vigan was colonized by the Spanish, Chinese immigrants migrated there when it was held as a trading post. It is surrounded by three rivers, the Mestizo River, the River of Abra and the Govanites River. Because of these rivers, Vigan was initially an island that separated from its mainland. Once being colonized by the Spanish in 1572, Vigan’s architectural buildings as well as the cobblestone streets were inspired by the Hispanics.

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The city of Vigan, once “Villa Fernandina,” is one of the Philippines most well-known cities, located in the North region of Ilocos, known for its unique structure and culture in which it holds. Vigan consists of not only the culture of the Philippines but also features European and Chinese culture. Vigan has specific characteristics that separate itself from most of the other cities in the Philippines. This city became popular among individuals around the world due to its beauty originating from different cultures, cultural and historical architecture for families who come to see it and its Filipino hospitality that makes it one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

I took this picture below during my visit!

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Vigan was marked in the UNESCO World Heritage List of Sites and Monuments in December 1999. As time reached 2014, Vigan was granted the title of being one of the Seven Wonders-Cities of the World. Being the only heritage city in the Philippines, it celebrates the World Heritage Cities Solidarity Cultural Festival where they celebrate for the whole month of September. The one month celebration consists of activities that people can participate in. Activities include singing competitions, dance performances, storytelling and more. The Saint Paul Metropolitan also holds a Solidarity Mass followed by a parade and a cultural show. Those who come to celebrate in the month of September also had a chance to try culture food of the Ilocanos. The Chinese community in Vigan is also appreciated with a Chinese Solidarity Festival to show honor for their contributions of the city. The World Heritage Cities Solidarity Cultural Festival in Vigan welcomes both visitors and locals for the celebration of Vigan’s unique culture.

https://images.app.goo.gl/EyJRXdtNhctJ6pE7A