Vigan

Capital of Ilocos Sur, Philippines

Not to be confused with Vegan, Le Vigan in France or the English town of Wigan.

Component city in Ilocos Region, Philippines

Vigan

Component city

City of Vigan

Left to right, from the top: Plaza Salcedo with Vigan Cathedral, La Casa Blanca de Vigan, Calle Crisólogo, Plaza Burgos, National Museum Ilocos, Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol, Vigan Bell Tower

Flag

Seal

Nickname:

Heritage City

Motto:

Viva Vigan!

Anthem: Vigan City Hymn

Map of Ilocos Sur with Vigan highlighted

OpenStreetMap

Vigan

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 17°34′29″N 120°23′13″E﻿ / ﻿17.57472°N 120.38694°E﻿ / 17.57472; 120.38694
Country| Philippines
Region| Ilocos Region
Province| Ilocos Sur
District|  1st district
Founded| 1572
Cityhood| January 22, 2001
Barangays| 39 (see Barangays)
Government

[2]

• Type| Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Mayor| Jose C. Singson
• Vice Mayor| Randolf V. Singson
• Representative| Ronald V. Singson
• City Council|

Members

*   * Janina Carine S. Medina-Fariñas
* Evaristo Singson III
* Larry Raboy
* Joy Benette A. Orio
* Nestor Pajaro
* Atty. Glendale Benzon
* Ada Joana Fe E. Artajos
* Alistin Arce
* Liborio F. Arca
* Karen R. Baquiran
* Jay Andia
* Edmund A. Supnet
* Mary Ann M. Ataup [1]

• Electorate| 35,171 voters (2025)
Area

[3]

• Total

| 25.12 km2 (9.70 sq mi)
Elevation

| 69 m (226 ft)
Highest elevation

| 1,104 m (3,622 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 0 m (0 ft)
Population

(2024 census)[4]

• Total

| 54,498
• Density| 2,200/km2 (5,600/sq mi)
• Households

| 12,702
Economy

• Income class| 4th city income class
• Poverty incidence|

8.72

% (2021)[5]
• Revenue| ₱ 850.5 million (2022)
• Assets| ₱ 2,175 million (2022)
• Expenditure| ₱ 637.7 million (2022)
• Liabilities| ₱ 367.3 million (2022)
Service provider

• Electricity| Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO)
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code|

2700

PSGC|

012934000

IDD : area code | +63 (0)77
Native languages| Ilocano
Tagalog
Website| www.vigancity.gov.ph

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Official name| Historic City of Vigan
Criteria| Cultural: (ii), (iv)
Reference| 502rev
Inscription| 1999 (23rd Session)

Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (Ilocano: Siudad ti Vigan; Filipino: Lungsod ng Vigan; Spanish: Ciudad de Vigan, is a component city and capital of the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 53,935 people.[6]

Located on the western coast of the large island of Luzon, facing the South China Sea, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site[7] and it is one of the few Spanish colonial towns left in the Philippines whose old structures have mostly remained intact. It is well known for its sett pavements and a unique architecture of the Spanish Philippines colonial era which fuses native Philippine and Oriental building designs and construction, with colonial Spanish architecture that is still abundant in the area, mainly the bahay na bato houses and an Earthquake Baroque church.

Former Philippine president Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines, was born in Vigan, at the former location of the Provincial Jail (his father was a warden).[8] He also resided in the Syquia Mansion, which is a wedding gift of his in-laws to his wife.[8] The entire city of Vigan was later inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage City after being declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC).

In May 2015, Vigan was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities together with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and La Paz.[9] New7Wonders Foundation president and founding member Bernard Weber led a ceremony held at St. Paul Cathedral where he handed a bronze plaque to former Vigan Mayor Eva Grace Singson-Medina, signifying the heritage city's election as one of the world's wonder cities.[10]

## Etymology

[edit]

The origin of the name "Vigan" is pre-colonial. It was also spelled "Bigan" in Spanish colonial records (including in the 1734 Velarde map). It is derived from Ilocano bigàan (or kabigàan), literally "the place where bíga abounds". Bíga is the common name of the giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) in Ilocano.[11][12]

Coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia depicting a flowering bíga (Alocasia macrorrhizos)

This is reflected in the Spanish-era coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia (of which Vigan was the seat of the episcopal see) which depicts a flowering Alocasia macrorrhizos proper.[11]

The meaning of "Vigan" is also a common subject of folk etymologies, of which there are two popular accounts. One claiming it originated from a misunderstood question (a common trope in Filipino place-name folk etymologies); and another which claims it came from Chinese bí-gān (美岸), meaning "beautiful shore" (allegedly from the gold dust in the seashore). Neither of these accounts have historical or academic evidence.[13][14]

### Other names

[edit]

The trading town of Vigan was near the settlement founded by Salcedo, which he named Villa Fernandina ("Town of Ferdinand"), in honor of Prince Ferdinand, the firstborn son of King Philip II of Spain. Villa Fernandina was originally meant to be the capital of Salcedo's encomienda, but it suffered from outbreaks of disease early in its history. It was later merged with the bigger trading town of Vigan, and was administered by a single alcalde mayor. Eventually, the name of Villa Fernandina became attached to Vigan.[13][15] As the city grew, and the seat of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia transferred to Vigan, it was later renamed Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan ("Ferdinand's City of Vigan/Fernandine City of Vigan").

## History

[edit]

Aerial view of Vigan, circa 1940s

### Pre-Colonial Era

[edit]

Due to silting of the Mestizo River, Vigan is no longer separated from the mainland, therefore no longer an island. The city is unique in the Philippines because it is one of many extensive surviving Philippine historic cities, dating back to the 16th century.

During the pre-colonial period, Vigan was a coastal trading post frequented by trade ships of Austronesian, Arab, Indian, Chinese, and (mainly) Japanese traders (similar to other trading towns along the Ilocos region like Aparri, Candon, and Lingayen).[16] Traders sailing from the South China Sea came to Isla de Vigan (Island of Vigan) via the Mestizo River that surrounded it.

### Spanish Colonial Era

[edit]

In the book The Philippine Island (Vol. III, p. 276, Blair and Robertson) two letters from Governor-General Guido de Lavezaris to King Philip II of Spain mention: "It seemed best to send Captain Juan de Salcedo with 70 or 80 soldiers to explore the coast of Los Ilocanos on the shores of the river called Bigan." The Spaniards led by Salcedo marched north from Manila on May 20, 1572. They arrived in Vigan on June 13, 1572.[17]

#### Villa Fernandina de Vigan

[edit]

Thus, after the successful expedition and the exploration of the North, Juan de Salcedo founded "Villa Fernandina de Vigan" in honor of King Philip II's son, Prince Ferdinand, who died at the age of four. From Vigan, Salcedo rounded the tip of Luzón and proceeded to pacify Camarines, Albay, and Catanduanes. As a reward for his services to the King of Spain, Salcedo was awarded the old province of Ilocos, which consisted of the modern provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union and part of Mountain Province as his hacienda (estate), and was accorded the title of Justicia Mayor de esta Provincia de Ylocos (Province Mayor of Ilocos).[18][19]

In 1574, Salcedo returned to the capital of his encomienda (trusteeship), Vigan, bringing with him his soldiers and some Augustinian missionaries to pioneer the evangelization of the Ilocos region. He established a Spanish city for the purpose of controlling the neighboring country.

Governor General Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, in his account of encomienda dated in Manila on May 31, 1591, states: "The town of Vigan called Villa Fernandina consisted of Spanish settlers; a priest; a Justice Alcalde Mayor (Governor); and a Deputy. The King collects 800 tributes (equivalent to 3,200 subjects)." During this period, Vigan was composed of 19 barrios (districts).

Between 1645 and 1660, Vigan was divided into 21 Cabezas de Barrio (Town Mayors) as mentioned in the Libro de Casamiento (Book of Marriage); from the records of the parish house of Vigan found in its archives. Separated from the indigenous population, the Chinese migrants were residents in a neighbourhood called El Pariancillo, los Sangleyes del parian (The Sangleyes of the Parian); and the Spanish settlers were residents in a town called Los Españoles de la Villa (The Town Spaniards). The Spaniards consisted of about 60 Spanish Households.[20] The region of Ilocos where Vigan is located is also recorded to have had 631 mixed Spanish-Filipino families.[21]: 31  It also had 44,852 native families.[21]: 31

#### Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan

[edit]

In 1755, Bp. Juan de la Fuente Yepes made a request to the King Fernando VI to move the Diocese of Nueva Segovia to Villa Fernandina due to the deteriorating status of Lal-lo. In 1758, with the Royal Decree signed by Fernando VI, Villa Fernadina became Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan and the See of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Lal-lo, Cagayan. The bell ensconced within the belfry of Vigan, has the imprinted words of the decree. Wherever the clang of the bell reaches, it marks the territory of Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan. In 1849, Leona Florentino, the mother of Philippine women's literature, was born in Vigan.[22]

### Philippine Revolution and American Occupation

[edit]

During the Philippine Revolution, revolutionary forces under Manuel Tinio, supported by the Ilocano rebels, attacked and defeated the Spanish colonial forces and captured the city in the Siege of Vigan.[23] During the Philippine–American War, American forces led by Commander McCracken and Lt. Col. James Parker occupied the town in November 1899.[24]

### World War II

[edit]

At the start of World War II, Vigan was one of the first places in the Philippines invaded by Japan on December 10, 1941. In 1945, combined U.S. and Philippine Commonwealth ground troops, aided by Ilocano resistance fighters, defeated the Japanese Imperial forces and liberated Vigan.

#### UNESCO World Heritage City

[edit]

In 1999, Vigan was listed by UNESCO as the best preserved example of Spanish colonial towns in Asia.[25] Its architecture is the conglomeration of cultural elements from the Philippines, China, and Spain, making it unique in the world.

### Recent history

[edit]

#### Cityhood

[edit]

Main article: Cities of the Philippines

On December 27, 2000, then President Joseph Estrada signed Republic Act No. 8988, that "revalidated and recognized" Vigan's city status granted by virtue of the Royal Decree of September 7, 1757, issued by Ferdinand VI, King of Spain.[26] This legislation serves as Vigan's present city charter. The charter did not provide a clause for a plebiscite and the law took effect in January 2001.

#### New7Wonders

[edit]

On December 7, 2014, Vigan was named as one of the New7Wonders Cities.[9]

#### 2022 Luzon earthquake

[edit]

Main article: 2022 Luzon earthquake

On July 27, 2022, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Luzon,[27] damaging the city's UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Vigan Cathedral and old-century houses, as well as few power lines toppled along Calle Crisologo.[28]

## Geography

[edit]

Vigan coast

The City of Vigan is situated in the northern part of Luzon, the Philippines’ largest island. It serves as the capital of Ilocos Sur and has been a major political and trading center since before the Spanish colonizers arrived in the Philippines.

Vigan is situated 403.88 kilometres (250.96 mi) from the capital city of Manila.

### Topography

[edit]

Its 2,511 hectares (6,200 acres) of land consists mostly of plains with gentle hills. Its boundaries on the north, east, south, and west are the municipalities of Bantay, Santa, Caoayan, and Santa Catalina, respectively. The South China Sea is on its southwest portion.

Majority of its land, 60 percent of it, is used for agriculture. Around 32 percent is made up of residential area, nearly three percent are for commercial and industrial use, and around one percent is for institutional purposes. There are also forest reserves and fishponds included in Vigan's land area.

Vigan is made up of 39 barangays. Thirty of them are classified as rural, but they occupy only 2,366 hectares. The remaining nine are classified as poblacion barangays and are together 144.75 hectares big.

The barangays of Pagburnayan, Paoa, and Tamag are on the area of rolling plains. On the other hand, portions of Barangays Tamag and the barangays of Bulala and Salindeg are found on the city's hilly parts.

Its most dominant hill feature is the Vigan Gap Hill in the eastern part, just 10 kilometers away from the city. Vigan used to be separated from the rest of the mainland by the rivers of Abra, Mestizo and Govantes, making it an island during that time. The Govantes River cuts the current Vigan plain from North to South.

The large Abra and Mestizo rivers, together with the rivers of Bantay, Bantaoay, Nauman and Santo Tomas serve as part of a network that drain the Vigan plains. These rivers are not only important in safekeeping the city from floods, they also served as important ways of transport for trade-related activities from the 15th century to the 19th century, that helped make Vigan a thriving center. The most vital of these rivers is said to be the Mestizo River which was used by the small vessels to transport goods and people.

There is a faulting trend in the Vigan plain that ends in Santa Catalina.

### Soil type

[edit]

The land area of Vigan is generally flat. Slopes of 20 are found at Barangay V, Tamag, and Paoa. There are no forest reserves in the city in terms of potential and raw materials. Bamboo is the only forest product in Vigan.

There are five soil types in the city. First, the Bantay Loam, located at the southern portion of Raois, has a land area of 36.67 hectares, and is good as pastureland. The second, Umingan sandy, with a land area of 1191.57 hectares, is good for upland rice and vegetables. The third, San Manuel clay loam, which is best for bananas, cotton and vegetables, has an area of 1244.57 hectares. The fourth, Bantog clay—considered as the most significant type for soil, and the best clay material for making pots, jars and all earthenware, has a land area of 31.65 hectares. The fifth, beach sand, with a land area of 7.28 hectares, is generally found on the shores of all the beaches of Vigan, and is best for coconut plantation.

### Barangays

[edit]

Political Subdivisions of Vigan City

Vigan is politically subdivided into 39 barangays. [29] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

* Ayusan Norte
* Ayusan Sur
* Barangay I (Poblacion)
* Barangay II (Poblacion)
* Barangay III (Poblacion)
* Barangay IV (Poblacion)
* Barangay V (Poblacion)
* Barangay VI (Poblacion)
* Barangay VII (Poblacion)
* Barangay VIII (Poblacion)
* Barangay IX (Poblacion)
* Barraca
* Beddeng Daya
* Beddeng Laud
* Bongtolan
* Bulala
* Cabalangegan
* Cabaroan Daya
* Cabaroan Laud
* Camangaan
* Capangpangan
* Mindoro
* Nagsangalan
* Pantay Daya
* Pantay Fatima
* Pantay Laud
* Paoa
* Paratong
* Pong-ol
* Purok-a-bassit
* Purok-a-dackel
* Raois
* Rugsuanan
* Salindeg
* San Jose
* San Julian Norte
* San Julian Sur
* San Pedro
* Tamag

### Geologic base and mineral resources

[edit]

The sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that are present in the city are alluvium, fluviatile, lacustrine, paludal and beach deposits such as coral, stools, and beach rock. These are predominantly found along the coastal areas of Vigan. An important non-metallic mineral resource found in Vigan is the kind of clay that is used in making earthen jars locally called burnay. Earthenware of different uses and sizes are made of this kind of clay. Known as Bantog clay, the mineral is the basic material in making bricks. These bricks are the original materials in building the Hispanic houses of Vigan.

### Physiography

[edit]

Vigan is situated in a Quaternary Age sedimentary plain called the Vigan-Bantay Plain which is part of the Ilocos coastal plain. The Vigan-Bantay Plain is bounded on the east by a moderately rugged Miocene sediments consisting of interbedded sandstones and shale to very rugged Meta-volcanics and Meta sediment topography; on the south is the Municipality of Santa where the north–south trending fault terminates; to the west is the South China Sea; while the northern boundary opens to the northern extension of the Ilocos coastal plain.

The central part of the plain is characterized by a dissected ridge of Plio-Pleistocene age that trends in a northeast–southwest direction. The ridge divides the Vigan-Bantay Plain into northern and southern plains.

The northern part of the plain is drained by minor rivers namely: Bantaoay, Santo Tomas, and Nauman rivers, while the Abra River is the main drainage network of the southern portion of the plain. The Abra River meanders into the hinterland but exhibits a braided pattern across the plain.

The drainage network of the eastern margin of Vigan-Bantay plain consist of deeply cut valleys whose pattern is strongly controlled by main faulting trends, particularly those in the northerly and easterly directions.

Vigan is being drained by the Vigan River and Bantay River, respectively, on the north and on the south by Mestizo River whose water discharge comes from the Bantaoay head waters.

The relief of the Vigan-Bantay plain is actively level to undulating with a slope ranging from 0% to 8%. Vigan in particular is generally in level with several hills in Barangays Tamag, Bulala, and Salindeg, sometimes reaching about 50 meters in elevation and has a slope ranging from 3% to 8%.

The eastern margin of the plain characterized by a steep to very steep slope, about 40% to 60%, the relief often reaches an elevation of more than 600 meters especially the northerly and easterly portion.

The dominant topographic feature in the eastern margin of the town is the Vigan Gap Hill where the continuously shifting Vigan River cuts its way. The Gap Hill is located approximately 10 kilometers east of Vigan.

### Weather and climate

[edit]

Climate data for Vigan (1991–2020, extremes 1903–2023)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 35.6
(96.1)  | 35.7
(96.3)  | 36.9
(98.4)  | 38.8
(101.8)  | 38.2
(100.8)  | 38.2
(100.8)  | 35.4
(95.7)  | 36.9
(98.4)  | 35.1
(95.2)  | 37.5
(99.5)  | 36.7
(98.1)  | 35.5
(95.9)  | 38.8
(101.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 30.2
(86.4)  | 30.7
(87.3)  | 31.8
(89.2)  | 33.0
(91.4)  | 33.0
(91.4)  | 32.2
(90.0)  | 31.3
(88.3)  | 30.6
(87.1)  | 31.0
(87.8)  | 31.4
(88.5)  | 31.5
(88.7)  | 30.9
(87.6)  | 31.5
(88.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | 25.7
(78.3)  | 26.2
(79.2)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 28.7
(83.7)  | 29.0
(84.2)  | 28.4
(83.1)  | 27.7
(81.9)  | 27.3
(81.1)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 27.4
(81.3)  | 27.3
(81.1)  | 26.6
(79.9)  | 27.4
(81.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 21.2
(70.2)  | 21.6
(70.9)  | 23.0
(73.4)  | 24.3
(75.7)  | 24.9
(76.8)  | 24.6
(76.3)  | 24.1
(75.4)  | 24.0
(75.2)  | 23.8
(74.8)  | 23.4
(74.1)  | 23.2
(73.8)  | 22.3
(72.1)  | 23.4
(74.1)
Record low °C (°F)  | 13.5
(56.3)  | 14.0
(57.2)  | 16.0
(60.8)  | 19.3
(66.7)  | 19.6
(67.3)  | 16.8
(62.2)  | 17.8
(64.0)  | 17.0
(62.6)  | 19.0
(66.2)  | 17.2
(63.0)  | 15.4
(59.7)  | 14.5
(58.1)  | 13.5
(56.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 5.8
(0.23)  | 2.5
(0.10)  | 5.4
(0.21)  | 17.2
(0.68)  | 173.0
(6.81)  | 281.8
(11.09)  | 529.8
(20.86)  | 613.8
(24.17)  | 356.2
(14.02)  | 134.7
(5.30)  | 45.7
(1.80)  | 6.2
(0.24)  | 2,172.1
(85.52)
Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 2  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 9  | 14  | 19  | 19  | 15  | 7  | 4  | 2  | 97
Average relative humidity (%)  | 74  | 74  | 74  | 75  | 78  | 82  | 85  | 87  | 86  | 81  | 78  | 75  | 79
Source: PAGASA[30][31]

The city of Vigan falls under tropical savanna, which is characterized by two pronounced seasons – the dry season which starts from the month of November and ends in April; and the wet season which spans the months of May to October. The average annual rainfall is 2,506 millimetres (98.66 in) and the heaviest registered rainfall is 6,933 millimetres (272.95 in).

The average temperature is 26 °C. The average warmest temperature is 30.9 °C and the average coldest temperature is 21.1 °C. An average of 7-10 typhoons visit Vigan annually. The average relative humidity is 81%.

## Demographics

[edit]

Plaza José Burgos Population census of Vigan| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1903 | 14,945| —
1918 | 17,765| +1.16%
1939 | 20,939| +0.79%
1948 | 21,067| +0.07%
1960 | 25,990| +1.77%
1970 | 30,252| +1.53%
| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1975 | 31,971| +1.11%
1980 | 33,483| +0.93%
1990 | 38,574| +1.43%
1995 | 42,067| +1.64%
2000 | 45,143| +1.52%
2007 | 47,246| +0.63%
| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2010 | 49,747| +1.89%
2015 | 53,879| +1.53%
2020 | 53,935| +0.02%
2024 | 54,498| +0.25%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[32][33][34][35][36]

In the 2020 census, Vigan had a population of 53,935.[37] The population density was 2,100 inhabitants per square kilometre (5,400/sq mi).

### Language

[edit]

The main language spoken in Vigan is Ilocano.

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Vigan

2.5

7.5

12.5

2000
8.55

2003
13.60

2006
6.90

2009
12.43

2012
7.11

2015
8.73

2018
2.42

2021
8.72

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]

## Government

[edit]

### Local government

[edit]

Main article: Sangguniang Panglungsod

Ilocos Sur Capitol

Vigan is part of the first congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is governed by a mayor, designated as its local chief executive, and by a city council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

### Elected officials

[edit]

Position  | Name

|

District Representative
(1st Legislative District the Province of Ilocos Sur)  | Ronald Singson
Chief Executive of the City of Vigan  | Mayor Jose Bonito Singson Jr
Presiding Officer of the City Council of Vigan  | Randy Singson
Councilors of the City of Vigan  | Janina Carine S. Medina-Fariñas
Alistin Arce
Evaristo "Bobit" Singson III
Larry Raboy
Ada Joana Fe Artajos
Glendale Benzon
Karen Baquiran
Nestor Pajaro
Jay F. Andia
Liborio "Libong" Arca

## Architecture

[edit]

Plaza Salcedo and Vigan Cathedral Saint Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral

When Juan de Salcedo founded Vigan in 1572, he decided to pattern its urban plan with that of Intramuros, the walled city in Manila.

The urban planners of the Spanish government also followed a basic pattern that can be observed in most old towns in the country, whose establishment dates back to the Spanish colonial period. This pattern is detailed in the Ley de las Indias, the Law of the Indies, and was put into force in the 18th century. Under the Law of the Indies streets were to follow a grid pattern, the center of which being a plaza or central park.

In Vigan, the central park is the Plaza Salcedo. Next to it are the administrative buildings—the Casa Real or provincial administrative office, and the municipio (municipal hall). A stone's throw away are the religious buildings—the seminary of the archdiocese, the Arzobispado (Archbishop's Palace), and the St. Paul's Cathedral. Beside these religious structures is the church-run school, the Saint Paul College, known in its early days as the Colegio de Niñas. After the full transfer of the said school to the neighboring towns of Bantay and San Vicente, the building was handed over to the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia and is currently being occupied by a retail store chain, with only a commemorative plaque at the building's entrance and the old "ROSARY COLLEGE" concrete sign at its rear reminding visitors of its past (the school's old logo, once found at the building's facade, has been removed sometime later).

A unique thing is the existence of another plaza, the Plaza Burgos, which is immediately beside the St. Paul's Cathedral. After the first tier emanating from Plaza Salcedo are the houses of prominent residents that now make up the preserved heritage houses of Vigan. This urban plan remained relatively intact despite wars and natural calamities that have been endured by Vigan since its foundation.

The major changes to the original urban landscape were caused by fires. The Casa Real was replaced with a provincial capitol building during the American period when the original structure burned down. The archdiocese seminary was also destroyed by fire in 1968, and it lay in ruins until the late 1990s, when part of a shopping mall was built on the site.

The residential areas were likewise not spared. Some of the houses on Crisologo Street were casualties of fire during the Japanese period; several houses on Quezon Avenue were destroyed by fire in 1952; while in 1971, some houses near Plaza Burgos burned down as well. The houses along Crisologo Street that were burned were later reconstructed faithfully following the architecture of the former structures.

Presently, there are other major areas of activities other than the two plazas, though these are still where most recreation and shopping are done. One may also go to the southern part of the city to reach the commercial area and public market. The current public market is a new one, as the old one (formerly the Imelda Socio-Commercial Complex), on the same site, was (also) destroyed by fire. A new mall (opened in December 2017) was constructed on the site of the city's first Public Market, found in the center of the business district, after being the site of some business establishments and a tricycle-for-hire terminal.

## Tourism

[edit]

Calle Crisologo at night

Popular sites include Calle Crisologo located in the Mestizo district- the old quarters of the city.[46] Syquia Mansion Museum,[47] Plaza Salcedo's Dancing Fountain,[48] Padre Burgos House,[49] Baluarte Zoo, and the National Museum of the Philippines.[50] Nearby is the Bantay Church Bell Tower. Of special note is the Hotel Luna, which houses an extensive collection of art, including La Mandolinera by Juan Luna.[51]

### Longganiza festival

[edit]

Mayor Jose 'Bonito' Singson, Jr. led the 2024 Grand Parade of Vigan City Fiesta and Vigan Longganisa Festival. The 2024 Fiesta featured Banaoang Marathon, a 12-kilometer track from Banaoang Bridge from Santa, Ilocos Sur and Bantay, Ilocos Sur boundary to the Plaza Burgos, Vigan, LGBTQIA+ Day, Vigan Conservation Complex symposium, Community Alay Gupit, Got Talent and fashion show, Vigan Food Festival, Search for Miss Vigan, Dog and Cat Fun Day, Longganisa Street Dance Showdown, Pinaka-Livestock contest, Education Day, and Social Services Night. On January 22, 2024, Vigan launched '101 Ways to Cook Longganisa' cookbook for the January 18–27, 2024 Longganisa Festival.[52][53]

## Transportation

[edit]

Calesa, one of the modes of transportation in Vigan

### Metro transport

[edit]

Modes of transport within the city are purely land-based. Vehicles for public use include jeepneys, tricycles, vans-for-hire (or PUVs/public utility vehicles) and calesas (horse-drawn vehicles). Buses, mini-buses and jeepneys provide transportation to and from Vigan. The metro Vigan transport system is mostly served by tricycles, which are color- and number-coded to identify their municipality of origin.

### Land transportation

[edit]

Vigan City is well-served by a network of roads and a major highway that connects to Manila North Road, the highway leading to Manila and the rest of the country. Major bus companies such as Dominion Bus Lines, Viron Transit, Partas, and Aniceto/St. Joseph operate terminals in Vigan. GMW Florida Transport operates a terminal in Bantay, just outside Vigan. Bus companies such as Maria de Leon and Fariñas pass by Vigan on their way to Laoag. They operate direct and/or indirect bus services from Vigan City to points in Luzon, mostly to Manila, Baguio, and Laoag and vice versa. There are also independent bus operators, who recently banded together to form different transport cooperatives,[54] plying the Laoag-Vigan-Carmen and Vigan-Abra routes, and have a joint terminal found at the New Vigan Public Market Annex. A taxi service started operating in 2019, just before the COViD-19 pandemic struck.

### Air transportation

[edit]

A secondary airport called Vigan Airport (also known as Mindoro Airport) is located at Barangay Mindoro. It has one asphalted runway, 900 meters long and 30 meters wide. The airport was once a dormant asset of the city for it does not generate revenue, with only chartered and private planes using it; it is currently being upgraded and is on its way toward commercialization.

## Education

[edit]

The Vigan City Schools Division Office oversees the operations of all Schools District Offices within the city. The Division Office is managed by the Department of Education (DepEd). There are two schools district offices (SDOs), namely: Vigan City District I Schools District Office, and Vigan City District II Schools District Office. They govern the operations of all private and public elementary and high schools throughout the city.[55] Technical and vocational schools are governed by TESDA. Tertiary levels are governed by CHED.

### Primary and elementary schools

[edit]

* Adventist School La Ciudad Fernandina
* Ayusan-Paoa Elementary School
* Bulala-Paratong Elementary School
* Burgos Memorial School East
* Burgos Memorial School West
* Cabaroan-Cabalangegan Elementary School
* Calvary Baptist Academy (Elementary)
* Camangaan Elementary School
* Capangpangan Elementary School
* Dudley-S Lara Educational Center for Children
* Gov. Evaristo Singson II Memorial Elementary School
* Jose Singson Elementary School
* Mindoro Elementary School
* Mother Edeltraud Danner School
* Nagsangalan Elementary School
* Pantay Elementary School
* Raois Elementary School
* Rugsuanan-Puroc Elementary School
* Salindeg Elementary School (Salindeg-Pong-ol, Barraca Elementary School)
* San Julian Elementary School
* St. Thomas Aquinas Learning Center
* Tamag Elementary School
* UCCP Christian Learning and Development Center
* Vigan Central School
* Vigan Nan Chong School

### Secondary schools

[edit]

* Calvary Baptist Academy
* Ilocos Sur National High School (ISNHS) — the major national high school in the province.
* Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary
* Lyceum de Ylocos (Senior High School)
* Marian Institute of Vigan
* Vigan East National High School
* Vigan West National High School

### Technical and vocational school

[edit]

* Lyceum de Ylocos — is a new school offering Technical-Vocational courses and is a registered Senior High School offering various Tracks that include ABM, GAS, HUMSS and TLE-Technical-Vocational Courses. Situated at the heart of the Heritage City, 3F Vigan Landmark Building, Barangay VIII. The school adopted a classical name to emphasize the grandeur of its location, the Heritage City of Vigan, the only awardee of the title New World Wonder City in the Philippines. It fosters the promotion of tourism and hospitality; promotes preservation of the cultural heritage and innovates towards service delivery and business processing. Lyceum de Ylocos is committed to be of service to students through the provisions of an environment where there would be opportunities to relate theories and knowledge to practical training.

### Higher educational institutions

[edit]

* Data Center Colleges Philippines Vigan Branch - Data Center Philippines (DCPI) first came to Ilocos Sur through a partnership with the University of Northern Philippines for its computerization efforts in the late 80s. It later evolved independently as a college offering computer- and non-computer-related courses. Formerly operating where Lyceum de Ylocos is operating today, they are currently located in a building just outside UNP's Vigan Campus.
* Divine Word College of Vigan (formerly known as the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción) — the oldest privately funded school in Ilocos Sur, founded by priests belonging to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in 1822.
* Ilocos Sur Community College
* Macro Colleges — the first computer college in the province, having evolved from being the first shop in Ilocos Sur to offer computer-based services. The school is now K-to-12 College, located at Quezon Avenue. Currently operated by the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives.
* STI College
* University of Northern Philippines Main Campus — in Barangay Tamag. It is the oldest state university in Northern Luzon, founded by virtue of Republic Act 4449, authored by Congressman Floro Crisologo.

## Media

[edit]

### TV stations

[edit]

* PTV Vigan Channel 4
* GNN Vigan Channel 30
* TV5 Vigan Channel 32
* UNTV Vigan Channel 36
* Sonshine TV Vigan Channel 38
* GTV Vigan Channel 40
* One Sports Vigan Channel 46
* GMA Vigan Channel 48

### Cable & satellite

[edit]

* Eaglevision Cable
* Vigan Satellite Cable TV
* Cignal TV
* Sky Direct

### Radio

[edit]

AM stations:

* DZVV Bombo Radyo 603 (Bombo Radyo Philippines)
* DWAE Radyo Pilipinas 747 (Philippine Broadcasting Service)
* Radyo Commando 927 (Solidnorth Broadcasting)
* DZNS 963 Radyo Totoo (Catholic Media Network)

FM stations:

* 91.7 Brigada News FM (Brigada Mass Media Corporation)
* 94.1 Magik FM (Century Broadcasting Network)
* 98.9 XFM Vigan (Southern Broadcasting Network/Y2H Broadcasting Network, Inc.)
* 99.7 Core FM (Iddes Broadcast Group)
* 100.5 Campus Radio (University of Northern Philippines)
* 102.5 Life Frequency
* 105.3 iFM Vigan (Radio Mindanao Network)

## Sister cities

[edit]

Local  | International

|

* Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte
* Laoag, Ilocos Norte
* Naga, Camarines Sur
* Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental
* Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur
* Taguig, Metro Manila[56]

* Agadir, Morocco
* Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
* Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
* Malacca City, Malaysia[57]
* Mar del Plata, Argentina

## Notable individuals

[edit]

* Leona Florentino, a Filipina foundational poet, dramatist, satirist, and playwright who is also known as the Mother of Philippine Women's Literature and honored in France, Spain, and the United States.[22]
* Chavit Singson, ex-politician, businessman.
* Floro Crisologo, lawyer, politician.
* Vincent Crisologo, ex-politician.
* Rogelio Singson, ex-politician and former cabinet member.
* Marcelino Crisólogo, politician, poet, writer and playwright. Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street was named after him.
* Isabelo de los Reyes, patriot, politician, writer, journalist, and labor activist.
* Leona Florentino, poet, dramatist, and playwright; recognized as the "mother of Philippine women's literature".
* Bryan Quitoriano, radio broadcaster
* Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, former governor, former Vice Governor, former House of Representatives Undersecretary for Livestock at the Department of Agriculture and former Mayor of Cabugao

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "City Officials – Vigan City".
2. ^ City of Vigan |  (DILG)
3. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
4. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
5. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
6. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
7. ^ Domingo, Leander C. (2022-12-20). "Time to visit Vigan Second of two parts". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
8. ^ a b "Quirino House, aka Syquia Mansion–the original Malacañang of the North". Lifestyle.INQ. 2015-11-15. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
9. ^ a b Tejada, Ariel Paolo (May 9, 2015). "Vigan declared 'Wonder City'". The Philippine Star. Manila. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
10. ^ "Vigan named as one of the New7Wonders". Archived from the original on 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
11. ^ a b Madriaga, D.D., Mors Rev. (1957). "The Coats-of-Arms of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions in the Philippines: Part I". Philippine Studies. 5 (2): 177–189.`{{cite journal}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
12. ^ Blench, Roger M. (2012). "Vernacular Names for Taro in the Indo-Pacific Region : Implications for Centres of Diversification and Spread". Senri Ethnological Studies. 78: 21–43\. doi:10.15021/00002508.
13. ^ a b Azurin, Arnold M. (1998). "Vintage Vigan". In Apilado, Digna B. (ed.). History of the People: Volume 1 (Abra, Ilocos, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan). National Historical Institute. pp. 36–43.
14. ^ The Regional State of Brown Environment Report. Environmental Management Bureau. 2007.
15. ^ Cimatu, Frank (2015-05-13). "Vigan: Sleepy city with big dreams". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
16. ^ "The City | Vigan City Government - Etymology: How the City Got its Name". vigancity.gov.ph. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
17. ^ De la Torre, Visitacion (2006). The Ilocos Heritage. Makati: Tower Book House. p. 2\. ISBN 978-971-91030-9-7.
18. ^ LEAGUE Magazine, September-October 2017 Issue: The Local Government Unit Magazine. The League Publishing Company, Inc. 2017-09-01.
19. ^ Centennial Commemorative Lectures, 1998. The Committee. 1998.
20. ^ "Jesuits In The Philippines (1581-1768)" Page 59 "These settlements were much smaller than Manila. In 1582 Manila had an adult male population of 300 Spaniards; Vigan, 60; Nueva Caceres, 30; Cebu, 70; Arevalo, 20. In 1586 Manila had 329 Spanish men and youths capable of bearing arms ; the most recently established settlement, Nueva Segovia in Cagayan, had 97; Nueva Caceres, 69; Arevalo, 65; Cavite, 64; Cebu, 63; Villa Fernandina, 19.
21. ^ a b ESTADISMO DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS TOMO SEGUNDO By Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga (Original Spanish)
22. ^ a b Mabanglo, R. E. (2020). Leona Florentino: Mother of Filipina poetry. Philippine Graphic.
23. ^ Atlantis. Institute for the Study of Women, Mount Saint Vincent University. 2004.
24. ^ The American Neptune. Peabody Museum of Salem. 1975.
25. ^ "Vigan City stays walkable despite influx of tourists". RAPPLER. 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
26. ^ Philippines (2001). Official Gazette. National Print. Office.
27. ^ "Magnitude-7 Earthquake Hits Philippines' Main Island". Bloomberg.com. 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
28. ^ "Look: State of Vigan City roads, buildings after magnitude 7.3 earthquake". Top Gear Philippines. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
29. ^ "Province: Ilocos Sur". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
30. ^ "Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Climatological Normal Values" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
31. ^ "Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Climatological Extremes" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
32. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
33. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
34. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
35. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
36. ^ "Province of Ilocos Sur". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
37. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
38. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
39. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
40. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
41. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
42. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
43. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
44. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
45. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
46. ^ "Calle Crisologo- Mena Crisologo Street". Vigan.ph. 12 June 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
47. ^ "Syquia Mansion of President Elpidio Quirino". Vigan.ph. 12 June 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
48. ^ "Vigan Travel: Historical Plaza Salcedo Turns into a Spectacle of Lights at Night". Philippine Primer. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
49. ^ "Padre Burgos House". National Museum of the Philippines. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
50. ^ Cimatu, Frank. "Old Ilocos Sur jail nowan art center". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
51. ^ "Why revitalizing hotels with art is a good strategy". F&B Report. 26 June 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
52. ^ Hernando, Ivy (January 25, 2024). "Streets filled in Vigan City Fiesta and Longganisa Festival Parade". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
53. ^ Villanueva, Aila (January 25, 2024). "Vigan City to launch Longganisa cookbook in 10-day fest". Presidential Communications Group. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
54. ^ "Accredited Transport Cooperatives as of January 2021" (PDF). otc.gov.ph. Office of Transportation Cooperatives (Philippines.
55. ^ "Masterlist of Schools" (PDF). Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
56. ^ "A RESOLUTION EXTENDING AN INVITATION TO THE CITY OF TAGUIG TO BECOME A SISTER CITY OF VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR" (PDF). City of Vigan. February 18, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2021.
57. ^ Lester V. Ledesma. "Sister Cities (Vigan and Melaka living parallel lives)". Cebu Smile. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vigan City.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Vigan.

* Vigan.ph
* Official website
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
* Philippine Census Information
* Local Governance Performance Management System

Places adjacent to Vigan

|  | Santa Catalina | Bantay

|
|

|  |
South China Sea |

Vigan

|  |
| Caoayan | Santa

* v
* t
* e

World Heritage Sites in the Philippines

Cultural|

* Baroque Churches of the Philippines (San Agustin, Paoay, Santa Maria, Miagao)
* Historic City of Vigan
* Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central, Nagacadan)

Natural|

* Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
* Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
* Tubbataha Reef

* v
* t
* e

Province of Ilocos Sur

Vigan (capital)
Candon (largest city)

Municipalities|

* Alilem
* Banayoyo
* Bantay
* Burgos
* Cabugao
* Caoayan
* Cervantes
* Galimuyod
* Gregorio del Pilar
* Lidlidda
* Magsingal
* Nagbukel
* Narvacan
* Quirino
* Salcedo
* San Emilio
* San Esteban
* San Ildefonso
* San Juan
* San Vicente
* Santa
* Santa Catalina
* Santa Cruz
* Santa Lucia
* Santa Maria
* Santiago
* Santo Domingo
* Sigay
* Sinait
* Sugpon
* Suyo
* Tagudin

Component cities|

* Candon
* Vigan

Barangays|

See: List of barangays in Ilocos Sur

* v
* t
* e

Ilocos Region (Region I)

Regional center|

* San Fernando

Provinces|

* Ilocos Norte
* Ilocos Sur
* La Union
* Pangasinan

Independent component city|

* Dagupan

Component cities|

* Alaminos
* Batac
* Candon
* Laoag
* San Carlos
* San Fernando
* Urdaneta
* Vigan

Provincial capitals|

* Laoag
* Lingayen
* San Fernando
* Vigan

Municipalities|

* Adams
* Agno
* Agoo
* Aguilar
* Alcala
* Alilem
* Anda
* Aringay
* Asingan
* Bacarra
* Bacnotan
* Badoc
* Bagulin
* Balaoan
* Balungao
* Banayoyo
* Bangar
* Bangui
* Bani
* Banna
* Bantay
* Basista
* Bauang
* Bautista
* Bayambang
* Binalonan
* Binmaley
* Bolinao
* Bugallon
* Burgos (Ilocos Norte)
* Burgos (Ilocos Sur)
* Burgos (La Union)
* Burgos (Pangasinan)
* Caba
* Cabugao
* Calasiao
* Caoayan
* Carasi
* Cervantes
* Currimao
* Dasol
* Dingras
* Dumalneg
* Galimuyod
* Gregorio del Pilar
* Infanta
* Labrador
* Laoac
* Lidlidda
* Lingayen
* Luna
* Mabini
* Magsingal
* Malasiqui
* Manaoag
* Mangaldan
* Mangatarem
* Mapandan
* Marcos
* Nagbukel
* Naguilian
* Narvacan
* Natividad
* Nueva Era
* Pagudpud
* Paoay
* Pasuquin
* Piddig
* Pinili
* Pozorrubio
* Pugo
* Quirino
* Rosales
* Rosario
* Salcedo
* San Emilio
* San Esteban
* San Fabian
* San Gabriel
* San Ildefonso
* San Jacinto
* San Juan (Ilocos Sur)
* San Juan (La Union)
* San Manuel
* San Nicolas (Ilocos Norte)
* San Nicolas (Pangasinan)
* San Quintin
* San Vicente
* Santa
* Santa Barbara
* Santa Catalina
* Santa Cruz
* Santa Lucia
* Santa Maria (Ilocos Sur)
* Santa Maria (Pangasinan)
* Santiago
* Santo Domingo
* Santo Tomas (La Union)
* Santo Tomas (Pangasinan)
* Santol
* Sarrat
* Sigay
* Sinait
* Sison
* Solsona
* Sual
* Sudipen
* Sugpon
* Suyo
* Tagudin
* Tayug
* Tubao
* Umingan
* Urbiztondo
* Villasis
* Vintar

Luzon, Republic of the Philippines

* v
* t
* e

List of cities in the Philippines

Highly urbanized
cities|

* Angeles City
* Bacolod
* Baguio
* Butuan
* Cagayan de Oro
* Caloocan
* Cebu City
* Davao City
* General Santos
* Iligan
* Iloilo City
* Lapu-Lapu City
* Las Piñas
* Lucena
* Makati
* Malabon
* Mandaluyong
* Mandaue
* Manila
* Marikina
* Muntinlupa
* Navotas
* Olongapo
* Parañaque
* Pasay
* Pasig
* Puerto Princesa
* Quezon City
* San Juan
* Tacloban
* Taguig
* Valenzuela
* Zamboanga City

Independent
component cities|

* Cotabato City
* Dagupan
* Naga, Camarines Sur
* Ormoc
* Santiago

Component cities|

* Alaminos
* Antipolo
* Bacoor
* Bago
* Bais
* Balanga
* Baliwag
* Batac
* Batangas City
* Bayawan
* Baybay
* Bayugan
* Biñan
* Bislig
* Bogo
* Borongan
* Cabadbaran
* Cabanatuan
* Cabuyao
* Cadiz
* Calaca
* Calamba
* Calapan
* Calbayog
* Candon
* Canlaon
* Carcar
* Carmona
* Catbalogan
* Cauayan
* Cavite City
* Danao
* Dapitan
* Dasmariñas
* Digos
* Dipolog
* Dumaguete
* El Salvador
* Escalante
* Gapan
* General Trias
* Gingoog
* Guihulngan
* Himamaylan
* Ilagan
* Imus
* Iriga
* Isabela
* Kabankalan
* Kidapawan
* Koronadal
* La Carlota
* Lamitan
* Laoag
* Legazpi
* Ligao
* Lipa
* Maasin
* Mabalacat
* Malaybalay
* Malolos
* Marawi
* Masbate City
* Mati
* Meycauayan
* Muñoz
* Naga, Cebu
* Oroquieta
* Ozamiz
* Pagadian
* Palayan
* Panabo
* Passi
* Roxas
* Sagay
* Samal
* San Carlos, Negros Occidental
* San Carlos, Pangasinan
* San Fernando, La Union
* San Fernando, Pampanga
* San Jose, Nueva Ecija
* San Jose del Monte
* San Pablo
* San Pedro
* Santa Rosa
* Santo Tomas
* Silay
* Sipalay
* Sorsogon City
* Surigao City
* Tabaco
* Tabuk
* Tacurong
* Tagaytay
* Tagbilaran
* Tagum
* Talisay, Cebu
* Talisay, Negros Occidental
* Tanauan
* Tandag
* Tangub
* Tanjay
* Tarlac City
* Tayabas
* Toledo
* Trece Martires
* Tuguegarao
* Urdaneta
* Valencia
* Victorias
* Vigan

* v
* t
* e

Provincial capital cities and municipalities of the Philippines

Luzon

* Abra: Bangued
* Albay: Legazpi
* Apayao: Kabugao / Luna1
* Aurora: Baler
* Bataan: Balanga
* Batanes: Basco
* Batangas: Batangas City
* Benguet: La Trinidad
* Bulacan: Malolos
* Cagayan: Tuguegarao
* Camarines Norte: Daet
* Camarines Sur: Pili
* Catanduanes: Virac
* Cavite: Imus / Trece Martires1
* Ifugao: Lagawe
* Ilocos Norte: Laoag
* Ilocos Sur: Vigan
* Isabela: Ilagan
* Kalinga: Tabuk
* La Union: San Fernando
* Laguna: Santa Cruz
* Marinduque: Boac
* Masbate: Masbate City
* Mountain Province: Bontoc
* Nueva Ecija: Palayan
* Nueva Vizcaya: Bayombong
* Occidental Mindoro: Mamburao
* Oriental Mindoro: Calapan
* Palawan: Puerto Princesa
* Pampanga: San Fernando
* Pangasinan: Lingayen
* Quezon: Lucena
* Quirino: Cabarroguis
* Rizal: Antipolo
* Romblon: Romblon
* Sorsogon: Sorsogon City
* Tarlac: Tarlac City
* Zambales: Iba

Visayas

* Aklan: Kalibo
* Antique: San Jose de Buenavista
* Biliran: Naval
* Bohol: Tagbilaran
* Capiz: Roxas
* Cebu: Cebu City
* Eastern Samar: Borongan
* Guimaras: Jordan
* Iloilo: Iloilo City
* Leyte: Tacloban
* Negros Occidental: Bacolod
* Negros Oriental: Dumaguete
* Northern Samar: Catarman
* Samar: Catbalogan
* Siquijor: Siquijor
* Southern Leyte: Maasin

Mindanao

* Agusan del Norte: Cabadbaran / Butuan1
* Agusan del Sur: Prosperidad
* Basilan: Lamitan / Isabela1
* Bukidnon: Malaybalay
* Camiguin: Mambajao
* Cotabato: Kidapawan
* Davao de Oro: Nabunturan
* Davao del Norte: Tagum
* Davao del Sur: Digos
* Davao Occidental: Malita
* Davao Oriental: Mati
* Dinagat Islands: San Jose
* Lanao del Norte: Tubod
* Lanao del Sur: Marawi
* Maguindanao del Norte: Datu Odin Sinsuat
* Maguindanao del Sur: Buluan
* Misamis Occidental: Oroquieta
* Misamis Oriental: Cagayan de Oro
* Sarangani: Alabel
* South Cotabato: Koronadal
* Sultan Kudarat: Isulan
* Sulu: Jolo
* Surigao del Norte: Surigao City
* Surigao del Sur: Tandag
* Tawi-Tawi: Bongao
* Zamboanga del Norte: Dipolog
* Zamboanga del Sur: Pagadian
* Zamboanga Sibugay: Ipil

1 de facto seat of provincial government

* v
* t
* e

Spanish / Hispanic Colonial architecture articles

Notable historic centers|

* Agaña
* Antigua Guatemala
* Albuquerque
* Arequipa
* Bogotá
* Campeche
* Cartagena de Indias
* Cebú
* Cienfuegos
* Coro
* Cuenca
* Cuernavaca
* Cusco
* Granada
* Guanajuato
* Havana
* Iloílo
* La Paz
* León
* Los Ángeles
* Lima
* Malabo
* Malolos
* Manila
* Mexico City
* Mompox
* Morelia
* New Orleans
* Oaxaca
* Old Panamá
* Panamá City
* Popayán
* Puebla
* Quito
* Saint Augustine
* San Antonio
* San Diego
* San Fernando
* San Francisco
* San Juan
* San Luis Potosí
* San Miguel de Allende
* Santa Cruz de la Sierra
* Santa Fe
* Santiago de Chile
* Santiago de Cuba
* Santo Domingo
* Sucre
* Taal
* Tayabas
* Trujillo
* Veracruz
* Vigan
* Zacatecas
* Zamboanga

Spanish missions|

* List of Spanish missions

Lists of buildings|

* Oldest

Cathedrals|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Chile
* Colombia
* Costa Rica
* Cuba
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* Guam
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Mexico
* Nicaragua
* Panama
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Philippines
* Puerto Rico
* United States
* Arizona
* California
* Florida
* Louisiana
* Texas
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Churches and monasteries|

* Baroque Churches of the Philippines
* Bohol
* Chiloé
* Mendicant monasteries in Mexico
* Popocatépetl

Fortifications|

* Presidio
* Caribbean coast of Panama
* Coasts of Chile
* Philippines
* Santo Domingo

Bridges and roads|

* Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
* Tayabas

Other building types|

* Alhóndiga
* Bahay na bato
* Balconies of Lima
* Bullring
* Convent
* Hacienda
* Haciendas in the Valley of Ameca
* Cabildo
* Colonial universities in Hispanic America
* Colonial universities in the Philippines
* Plaza

Architecture types|

* Baroque
* Andean
* Churrigueresque
* Earthquake
* Mexican
* Chilotan
* Monterey Colonial
* Neoclassical
* Renaissance
* Rococo
* Territorial

Modern Revival styles|

* California Churrigueresque Revival
* Mission Revival
* Spanish Colonial Revival
* Territorial Revival

* v
* t
* e

Spanish Empire

Timeline–immersed

* Catholic Monarchs
* Conquest of the Americas, Asia and the Pacific
* Treaty of Tordesillas
* Italian Wars
* Habsburgs
* Golden Age
* War of the League of Cognac
* Encomiendas
* New Laws in favour of the indigenous
* Expulsion of the Moriscos
* Ottoman–Habsburg wars
* French Wars of Religion
* Bruneian–Spanish conflict
* Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)
* Piracy in the Caribbean
* Eighty Years' War
* Spanish–Moro conflict
* Thirty Years' War
* Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659)
* Portuguese Restoration War
* War of the Spanish Succession
* Queen Anne's War
* Bourbons
* Bourbon Reforms
* War of Jenkins' Ear
* Treaty of Madrid (1750)
* Seven Years' War
* Nootka Convention
* Napoleonic invasion
* Third Treaty of San Ildefonso
* Independence of Spanish continental Americas
* Adams–Onís Treaty
* Liberal constitution
* Carlist Wars
* Spanish–American War
* German–Spanish Treaty (1899)
* Spanish Civil War
* Independence of Morocco
* Independence of Equatorial Guinea
* Western Sahara conflict

Territories

| Europe|

* Spain
* Crown of Castille
* Crown of Aragon
* Union with Portugal
* Gibraltar
* Southern Italy (Kingdoms of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia)
* Milan
* Union with Holy Roman Empire
* Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, northernmost France
* Franche-Comté
* Pyrénées-Orientales

|

Americas (Spanish America)|

| North America|

* New Spain (Coastal Alaska, Central United States (Spanish Louisiana), Western United States (Spanish Texas), Florida, Mexico, Central America (Captaincy General of Yucatan), Spanish Caribbean)

|

Central America|

* Captaincy General of Guatemala
* Spanish West Indies (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico)
* Trinidad
* Jamaica
* Haiti
* Aruba
* Curazao
* Bonaire
* Belize

South America|

* New Granada (Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, part of Guyana, a northernmost portion of Brazilian Amazon)
* Peru (Peru, Acre, Chile)
* Río de la Plata (Argentina, Paraguay, Charcas (Bolivia), Banda Oriental (Uruguay), Misiones Orientales, Malvinas)

Asia and Oceania (Spanish East Indies)|

* Philippines
* Micronesia (Caroline, Guam, Mariana, Micronesia, Palau)
* Northern Taiwan
* Tidore

Africa|

* Equatorial Guinea
* Northern Africa (Western Sahara, Spanish Morocco, Tripoli, Tunis, Peñón of Algiers, Oran, Béjaïa, Ifni and Cape Juby)

Antarctica|

* Terra Australis

Administration

| Organization|

* Ayuntamiento
* Cabildo
* Council of the Indies
* Germania
* Santa Hermandad

|

Law|

* Exequatur
* Laws of the Indies
* Papal bull
* Royal Decree of Graces
* School of Salamanca
* Trial of residence

Titles and positions|

* Alcalde
* Corregidor
* Municipal president
* Regidor
* Syndic
* Vecino

Administrative subdivisions

| Viceroyalties|

* Columbian
* New Spain
* New Granada
* Perú
* Río de la Plata

|

Captaincies General|

* Chile
* Cuba
* Guatemala
* Philippines
* Provincias Internas
* Puerto Rico
* Santo Domingo
* Venezuela
* Yucatán

Governorates|

* Castilla de Oro
* Cuba
* La Florida
* Louisiana
* New Andalusia (1501–1513)
* New Andalusia
* New Castile
* New Navarre
* New Spain
* Tierra Firme
* New Toledo
* New León
* Paraguay
* Río de la Plata
* Terra Australis

Audiencias|

* Bogotá
* Buenos Aires
* Caracas
* Charcas
* Concepción
* Cusco
* Guadalajara
* Guatemala
* Lima
* Manila
* Mexico
* Panamá
* Quito
* Santiago
* Santo Domingo

Economy

| Currencies|

* Dollar (Peso)
* Real
* Maravedí
* Escudo
* Columnario
* Doubloon

|

Trade|

* Manila galleon
* Spanish treasure fleet
* Casa de Contratación
* Spanish Road
* Guipuzcoan Company of Caracas
* Barcelona Trading Company
* Consulate of the Sea
* Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
* Commerce Consulate of Buenos Aires

Military

| Armies|

* Tercio
* Army of Flanders
* Free Company of Volunteers of Catalonia
* Indian auxiliaries
* Spanish Armada
* Ships of the line
* Royalists
* Legión
* Army of Africa

|

Strategists|

* Duke of Alba
* Antonio de Leyva
* Martín de Goiti
* Alfonso d'Avalos
* García de Toledo Osorio
* Duke of Savoy
* Álvaro de Bazán the Elder
* John of Austria
* Charles Bonaventure de Longueval
* Pedro de Zubiaur
* Ambrosio Spinola
* Blas de Lezo
* Bernardo de Gálvez

Mariners|

* Christopher Columbus
* Pinzón brothers
* Ferdinand Magellan
* Juan Sebastián Elcano
* Juan de la Cosa
* Juan Ponce de León
* Miguel López de Legazpi
* Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
* Sebastián de Ocampo
* Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
* Alonso de Ojeda
* Vasco Núñez de Balboa
* Alonso de Salazar
* Andrés de Urdaneta
* Antonio de Ulloa
* Ruy López de Villalobos
* Diego Columbus
* Alonso de Ercilla
* Nicolás de Ovando
* Juan de Ayala
* Sebastián Vizcaíno
* Juan Fernández
* Luis Fajardo
* Felipe González de Ahedo
* Francisco de Camargo
* Alonso de Camargo

Conquistadors|

* Hernán Cortés
* Francisco Pizarro
* Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada
* Hernán Pérez de Quesada
* Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
* Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar
* Pedro de Valdivia
* Gaspar de Portolà
* Pere Fages i Beleta
* Joan Orpí
* Pedro de Alvarado
* Martín de Ursúa
* Diego de Almagro
* Pánfilo de Narváez
* Diego de Mazariegos
* Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera
* Pere d'Alberní i Teixidor
* García López de Cárdenas

Notable battles|

| Old World|

| Won|

* Comuneros
* Bicocca
* Rome (1527)
* Landriano
* Pavia
* Tunis
* Mühlberg
* St. Quentin
* Gravelines
* Malta
* Lepanto
* Antwerp
* Azores
* Mons
* Gembloux
* Ostend
* English Armada
* Cape Celidonia
* White Mountain
* Breda
* Nördlingen
* Valenciennes
* Ceuta
* Bitonto
* Bailén
* Vitoria
* Tetouan
* Alhucemas

|

Lost|

* Capo d'Orso
* Vienna (1529)
* Preveza
* Siege of Castelnuovo
* Algiers
* Ceresole
* Balearic Islands (1558)
* Djerba
* Tunis
* Spanish Armada
* Leiden
* Rocroi
* Downs
* Montes Claros
* Passaro
* Manila Bay
* Trafalgar
* Somosierra
* Annual
* Mactan

New World|

| Won|

* Tenochtitlan
* Cajamarca
* Cusco
* Bogotá savanna
* Penco
* Mataquito
* Guadalupe Island
* Recife
* San Juan (1595)
* Bahia
* Colonia del Sacramento
* Comuneros (Paraguay)
* Cartagena de Indias
* Cuerno Verde
* Túpac Amaru II
* Túpac Katari
* Pensacola
* Newfoundland
* San Juan (1797)

|

Lost|

* La Noche Triste
* Iguape
* Tucapel
* Guiana
* Curalaba
* Comuneros (New Granada)
* Trinidad (1797)
* Chacabuco
* Boyacá
* Carabobo
* Pichincha
* Ayacucho
* Guam
* Santiago de Cuba
* Asomante

Spanish conquests

* Canary Islands
* The Americas
* Aztec
* Maya
* Chiapas
* Yucatán
* Guatemala
* Petén
* El Salvador
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Chibchan Nations
* Colombia
* Chile
* Inca
* Philippines

Other civil topics

* Spanish missions in the Americas
* Architecture
* Mesoamerican Codices
* Cusco painting tradition
* Indochristian painting in New Spain
* Quito painting tradition
* Africanist
* Tapada limeña
* Academia Antártica
* Colonial universities in Hispanic America
* Colonial universities in the Philippines
* General Archive of the Indies
* Colonial Spanish Horse
* Mustang
* Castas
* Criollos in the colonial society
* Old inquisition
* Slavery in Spanish Empire
* Asiento
* Law of coartación (which allowed slaves to buy their freedom, and that of others)
* Great Potosí Mint Fraud of 1649

Cartography

| Cartographers|

* Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olmedilla
* Agustín Ibáñez y Bojons

|

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[PSGC]: Philippine Standard Geographic Code
*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate. Executive Order 135 §6 states that for "census years" (years divisible by 10) the reference date would be May 1st, but for all other years, the reference date is to be the "middle of the year". This means that growth rates, although correct, are not necessarily simple year-on-year comparisons.
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