Vigan Cathedral: St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral

Vigan Cathedral is also called St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral.  It is found at the heart of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.  It is considered as a major religious landmark in the North Luzon.

I just love visiting churches.  Each church is unique and details are sophisticated too.  

The Vigan Cathedral is a Baroch-styled cathedral with neo-gothic and psuedo romanesque motifs.  
The moldings on its facade and the brass communion rails give hints of the Chinese influence in its interior design and architecture.

Bell Tower of Vigan Church

The Bell Tower is not attached to the church itself and is instead found in Plaza Burgos, 10 meters from the south of Vigan Cathedral.   It is about 25 meters high.

The Vigan Cathedral was first built in 1574 by Spaniard Juan de Salcedo.  After it was damages by earthquake in 1619 and 1627, it was reconstructed in 1641.  In 1739, it was damaged by fire.  And, in 1790 it was again reconstructed and finished in 1800 to its current structure. It still contained most of the original features of the church interior.  It has not thick walls to withstand earthquakes and typhoons.  When the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Cagayan to Vigan, it became a cathedral.

The Vigan Cathedral has twelve altars with hammered-silver panels, three naves, and a choir loft.
As it is a religious town, the church is packed on a Sunday.  

Vigan Cathedral Tabernacle

Overall, we Travel Tripsters were awed by the magnifiscent structure of the Vigan Cathedral.  This divine place is a great place to appreciate the history, religion and culture of the locals. 

Vigan Cathedral (St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral)
Address	Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Budget Per Person	FREE	Vigan Cathedral Map
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