La Union Watchtowers

Spanish colonial watchtowers in La Union, Philippines

La Union Watchtowers

Native name
Mga Bantayán ng La Union (Filipino)

Baluarte in Luna, La Union

Type| Watchtowers
Location| At least five La Union municipalities:

* Balaoan
* Bacnotan
* Luna
* San Fernando
* San Juan

Architectural style(s)| Spanish colonial

National Cultural Treasures

Official name| La Union Watchtowers
Designated| 2014

The province of La Union in the Philippines has various Spanish colonial watchtowers (bantayan) which are recognized as National Cultural Treasures since 2014.[1]

## Background

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The Spanish first colonized the Ilocos Region in 1572. They would build large stone structures such as churches and forts in the following years. Watchtowers were built for sentry purposes against Moro and Chinese pirates as well as other European colonial powers.[1]

The fortifications are mostly built using coral blocks held together by lime and egg whites. In the contemporary period, the fortifications fell into disuse and many are in a neglected and damaged state.[1]

At least the Luna Watchtower was however used by the Americans during the Japanese occupation era of World War II.[2]

## List

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Name | Municipality | NMP marked[1] | Coordinates | Notes

|
|
|
|

Almeida Watchtower | Balaoan | Yes | 16°49′06.5″N 120°19′49.2″E﻿ / ﻿16.818472°N 120.330333°E﻿ / 16.818472; 120.330333﻿ (Almeida (Balaoan)) |
Bacnotan Watchtower | Bacnotan | No |  | situated inside private property
Baluarte Watchtower | Luna | Yes | 16°51′24.3″N 120°22′22.3″E﻿ / ﻿16.856750°N 120.372861°E﻿ / 16.856750; 120.372861﻿ (Baluarte (Luna)) |
Carlatan Watchtower | San Fernando | No | 16°37′57.6″N 120°18′39.8″E﻿ / ﻿16.632667°N 120.311056°E﻿ / 16.632667; 120.311056﻿ (Carlatan (San Fernando)) | situated inside private property
Ili Sur Watchtower | San Juan | No | 16°40′17.6″N 120°20′01.0″E﻿ / ﻿16.671556°N 120.333611°E﻿ / 16.671556; 120.333611﻿ (Ili Sur (San Juan)) | Damaged

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Sotelo, Yolanda (15 August 2021). "La Union watchtowers battle neglect, modernity". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
2. ^ Alviar, Vaughn (24 April 2021). "Preserving beauty, glory of historical watchtowers". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 5 November 2023.

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National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

Built Heritage Declarations

Metro Manila|

* Las Piñas Bamboo Organ
* San Agustin Church
* Santa Ana Church
* Camarin de la Virgen
* NCCA Metropolitan Theater
* Bonifacio Monument
* San Sebastian Church
* Arch of the Centuries, Main Building, Central Seminary Building, Open Spaces, Baybayin Documents of the University of Santo Tomas
* Santo Domingo Church
* Rizal National Monument
* Sta. Cruz Church
* Quezon Memorial Shrine

Ilocos Region|

* Burial Caves in Sitio Alabok
* Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
* Calasiao Church
* Paoay Church
* Bacarra Church
* Magsingal Church
* Mestizo Section, Vigan
* Luna Church
* La Union Watchtowers

Cagayan Valley|

* Mahatao Church
* Tumauini Church
* Malaueg Church
* Dupax Church

Central Luzon|

* Masinloc Church
* Minalin Church
* Betis Church

Calabarzon|

* Tayabas Church
* Cape Santiago Lighthouse
* Balayan Church
* Malabrigo Point Lighthouse
* Maragondon Church
* Petroglyphs of the Rock-shelter
* Majayjay Church
* Tanay Church
* Tayabas Historic Bridges
* Silang Church

Mimaropa|

* Guyangan Cave System
* Romblon Church
* Petroglyphs in the Caves of the Tao't Bato Area
* Historic Bridges of Romblon
* Tabon Cave Complex
* Twin Forts of Romblon

Bicol Region|

* Tabaco Church
* Daraga Church

Western Visayas|

* San Joaquin Church and Campo Santo
* Panay Church
* Santa Barbara Church

Central Visayas|

* Santo Niño Basilica
* Magellan's Cross Pavilion
* Bohol Watchtowers
* Baclayon Church
* Calape Church
* Loon Church
* Panglao Church
* Boljoon Church
* Bacong Church
* Lazi Church
* Dimiao Church
* Loboc Church
* Maribojoc Church
* Dauis Church
* Loay Church
* Cortes Church

Eastern Visayas|

* Guiuan Church
* Capul Church

Zamboanga Peninsula|

* Relief Map of Mindanao
* Fort Pilar

Northern Mindanao|

* Jasaan Church
* Jimenez Church

Caraga Region|

* Balangays of Butuan

CAR|

* Ifugao Rice Terraces
* Mummy Caves of Alab
* Mummy Caves of Kabayan
* Mummy Caves of Sagada
* Petroglyphs of Alab
* Stone Agricultural Calendars of Dap-ay Guiday
* Tayum Church

BARMM|

* Karim Ul-Makhdum Mosque
* Kawayan Torogan

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