Vigan history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Vigan is rooted in the pre-colonial era, when a thriving trading settlement existed on this site. Local inhabitants were actively exchanging goods with Chinese merchants long before the arrival of Europeans. The official date of the city's foundation in its colonial status is considered to be 1572. It was then that the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo arrived in the region and established a settlement, naming it Villa Fernandina in honour of the son of King Philip II.

The modern name of the city comes from the name of the plant "biga" (giant taro), which grew in abundance along the banks of local rivers. Over time, the phrase "Kabigaan" (the place where biga grows) transformed into the concise "Vigan".

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of Vigan into a crucial centre in the northern Philippines was driven by several strategic advantages:

• Geography: The city is located in the delta of the Abra River, in close proximity to the South China Sea. In the past, Vigan was effectively separated from the mainland by rivers, forming an island, which created natural protection and favourable conditions for a port.
• Trade: Thanks to its convenient location, Vigan became a key hub on trade routes. Goods from China (silk, porcelain) flowed here to be exchanged for gold, timber, and beeswax extracted from the Cordillera mountains.
• Political Power: Salcedo chose Vigan as his residence and the capital of the entire Ilocos province, securing the city's status as the administrative, military, and religious centre of Northern Luzon.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economic foundation of early Vigan was laid through the union of local resources and the enterprise of Chinese settlers. This led to the formation of an influential class of Chinese mestizos, who played a leading role in the life of the city.

Cultural interaction was reflected in the unique architecture that has survived to this day. The city was built according to the Spanish colonial street grid, but the buildings themselves were erected taking into account local climatic conditions and Chinese construction traditions, creating a unique style known as "earthquake architecture".

Chronology of Vigan's Development

• 1572 — Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo arrives in the region and founds the settlement of Villa Fernandina, later renamed Vigan.
• 1758 — The seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia is transferred from Lal-lo to Vigan, securing the city's status as the main religious centre of Northern Luzon.
• 1762 — Diego Silang launches a rebellion against the Spanish crown and proclaims Vigan the capital of an independent Ilocos.
• 1763 — Gabriela Silang, who continued the rebellion after her husband's death, was publicly executed in Vigan, becoming a national heroine.
• 1818 — By royal decree, the province of Ilocos is divided into North and South, and Vigan becomes the capital of the province of Ilocos Sur.
• 1890 — Elpidio Quirino, who later became the sixth President of the Philippines, is born in the provincial jail building.
• 1898 — Philippine revolutionary forces occupy the city, ending the era of Spanish colonial rule in the region.
• 1899 — With the arrival of American troops, the period of American occupation and the establishment of a civil government begins.
• 1945 — At the end of World War II, Vigan miraculously avoids destructive bombings, preserving its unique historical architecture.
• 1999 — The historic centre of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an exceptional example of a preserved Spanish colonial town in Asia.
• 2001 — Vigan officially receives city status (component city) following the ratification of Republic Act No. 8988.
• 2014 — Following a worldwide vote, Vigan is recognised as one of the "New7Wonders Cities".

Key Stages of City Formation

The development of Vigan is the story of the transformation of a trading post into a unique architectural reserve. Several turning points can be highlighted that defined the modern appearance and economy of the city:

• Implementation of the Spanish Urban Planning Model (16th Century)
  The application of the colonial "Laws of the Indies" in street planning created a rigid grid structure for the city. This decision organised the development and divided the city into functional zones, allowing for the effective management of the growing settlement and laying the foundation for the future historic centre.
• Becoming the Religious Capital of the North (1758)
  The transfer of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia to Vigan endowed the city with the status of the main religious and political centre of Northern Luzon. This event attracted the elite and clergy to the city, stimulating the construction of monumental structures: the cathedral and the archbishop's palace.
• Economic Flourishing of the Mestizo Class (18th–19th Centuries)
  Wealthy Chinese mestizos, who controlled the trade in indigo and textiles, began the mass construction of stone houses (bahay na bato). This period became the golden age of Vigan's architecture, forming its unique style — a fusion of Philippine, Chinese, and European traditions.
• Silting of the River and Economic Preservation (Late 19th Century)
  Changes in the course of the Abra River cut off Vigan's port from the sea, shifting trade routes. The economic downturn saved the city from the demolition of old buildings and modernisation in the 20th century, unintentionally preserving its colonial appearance in its original form.
• The "Miracle" of World War II (1945)
  Unlike Manila and Cebu, Vigan avoided destructive bombings during the liberation of the Philippines. The preservation of the city's historical fabric during this period became a critical factor for its future existence as a heritage site.
• Shift in Development Vector to Tourism (from 1999)
  Inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List transformed the city's economy. Vigan reoriented towards cultural tourism, leading to the large-scale restoration of streets (such as Calle Crisologo) and the revival of traditional crafts.

Urban Structure

The architectural appearance of Vigan is unique in that it is one of the few surviving cities in Asia built according to Spanish urban planning canons of the 16th century. The layout is based on the "Laws of the Indies" (Leyes de las Indias): streets form a strict rectangular grid (cuadricula), the centre of which is the main square.

The heart of the city serves as a two-plaza system: Plaza Salcedo (secular centre) and Plaza Burgos (commercial and social centre), around which administrative buildings and the main cathedral are grouped.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Vigan's development represents a synthesis of European styles, Chinese construction techniques, and local traditions, adapted to the tropical climate and seismic activity.

• "Earthquake Baroque" (17th–18th Centuries)
  A style that emerged as a response to frequent earthquakes. It is characterised by massive walls, powerful buttresses, and squat proportions. The decor is restrained, with an emphasis on stability.
  Iconic landmark: St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral. Its detached bell tower and powerful façade are a classic example of adapting Baroque to local conditions.
• "Bahay na Bato" Architecture (18th–19th Centuries)
  Vigan's Golden Age. This style ("House of Stone") combined the construction of the native hut on stilts with Spanish stone technologies. The ground floor was built of brick or stone (warehouses and offices), and the residential second floor was made of hardwood with large sliding windows made of capiz shells for ventilation.
  Iconic district: Mestizo District (Calle Crisologo). A complete ensemble of merchant houses has been preserved here, demonstrating the fusion of Spanish aesthetics and Chinese elements (tiled roofs).
• Neoclassicism and Civil Architecture (Early 20th Century)
  With the arrival of the American administration, buildings with elements of Neoclassicism and Art Deco appeared in the city, using concrete and stricter geometric forms.
  Iconic landmark: Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol. The building reflects the transition to secular monumentality characteristic of the American colonial period.

Features of the Local Style

An important feature of Vigan's architecture is the absence of pure copying of European models. The Chinese masters who built the city brought their own traditions: the characteristic curve of the roofs, the use of granite slabs, and specific ornamentation, making Vigan unlike the cities of Latin America or Spain of the same period.

Notable Personalities of Vigan

The history of Vigan is inextricably linked with the names of people who not only shaped the appearance of the city but also influenced the fate of the entire country. Among the natives and residents of the city are revolutionaries, presidents, writers, and religious figures.

• Juan de Salcedo (1549–1576)
  Spanish conquistador and founder of the city
  Grandson of Miguel López de Legazpi, Salcedo arrived in northern Luzon in 1572 and founded the settlement of Villa Fernandina, which became modern Vigan. He designed the initial layout of the city and made it the capital of the entire Ilocos province, laying the foundation for its future prosperity.
• Diego Silang (1730–1763)
  Leader of the revolutionary movement
  Although he was not born in Vigan itself, this city became the centre of his famous rebellion against the Spanish crown during the British occupation of Manila. Silang proclaimed Vigan the capital of "Free Ilocos", challenging colonial authority.
• Gabriela Silang (1731–1763)
  National Heroine of the Philippines
  Wife of Diego Silang, known as the "Joan of Arc of Ilocos". After her husband's murder, she led the rebel forces. She was captured and publicly executed in Vigan's main square (now Plaza Salcedo), becoming a symbol of female courage and the struggle for freedom.
• Jose Burgos (1837–1872)
  Priest and martyr
  A native of Vigan, Father Jose Burgos was one of three priests (Gomburza) executed by the Spanish on charges of mutiny. His death awakened the national consciousness of Filipinos and inspired the national hero Jose Rizal. The Burgos ancestral house is one of the city's main attractions.
• Leona Florentino (1849–1884)
  Poetess
  Born in Vigan to a wealthy family, she became the first Filipina whose poems received international recognition and were exhibited in Madrid and Paris. Considered the "mother of Philippine women's literature", she wrote in Spanish and Ilocano.
• Isabelo de los Reyes (1864–1938)
  Politician, writer, and labour activist
  Son of Leona Florentino, also a native of Vigan. Founder of the first labour federation in the Philippines and one of the creators of the Independent Philippine Church (Aglipayan Church). His activities had a huge impact on the social and religious life of the country.
• Elpidio Quirino (1890–1956)
  6th President of the Philippines
  Born in the Vigan provincial jail building, where his father worked. Quirino led the country during the difficult post-war period, focusing on the restoration of the economy and international relations. His legacy is immortalised in the name of one of the main streets and a museum in the city.