No visit to Vigan would be complete until you walked through this street---Calle Crisologo at the Kamestizoan District. It is a half-kilometer stretch of cobblestoned street lined with 18th century Filipino-Spanish architecture and replete with an old world charm. While strolling at Calle Crisologo, look up and see the azoteas, capiz windows, ornamental ironwork and imagine young mestizas in Maria Clara dresses giggling behind their abaniko (a hand-held fan). The clacking noise of horse-driven carriage we call kalesa completes the ambiance of Vigan more than a century ago.
kalesas along Calle Crisologo
The old mansions at Calle Crisologo now house handicraft and curio shops, some furniture and antique dealers, pension houses and restaurants---I even spied a funeral parlor. We purchased a few touristy items here, also bought Abel-Iloko blankets---handwoven blankets known as Abel-weaving, one of the surviving traditional crafts in Vigan; browsed through second-hand books, and had coffee at The Perfect Cup, Vigan's version of Starbucks.
Vigan City, the capital of Ilocos Sur and 407 kilometers north of Manila, has the most extensive surviving ancestral houses that dates back to the 15th century Spanish colonial period. West of the city is the South China Sea, it is accessible by land and by air from Manila, Baguio, Laoag and other parts of Luzon.
old world charm
the most photographed street in Vigan
Calle Crisologo at dusk
This post is linked to My World-Tuesday
21 comments:
gandang mga larawan:)
calle crisologo in vigan is one of my favorite streets i've been to.
i wish authorities will continue their efforts preserving such quaint place... na-miss ko na naman ang pinas!
Ang ganda! Kelan kaya ako makakapunta sa Vigan?
The photographs are just beautiful. It's nice to see how classic architecture still flourishes in Vigan.
I found your blog in Technorati. Glad to have visited.
I never tire of looking at photos and posts about Vigan and Calle Crisologo. Kelan kaya ako naman?
If I ever visit Manila I want to go the 407 kilometers north. This looks like a wonderful place to visit!
I love those old houses... I hope they will maintain them.
Great captures...
What a delightful, wonderful place!! And your photos are superb! I would love to visit there! Wonderful post for the day and a lovely look at your world! Have a great week!
Sylvia
Fabulous shots of lovely architecture!
Quite interesting.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos
Have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram
My Word Tuesday post
Seen on My World Tuesday
Wonder photos. You have captured the heart of this city. Thanks for sharing.
Oh those souvenirs... I wish I could lay my hands on them. :)
Beautiful old buildings. I certainly learned something new here today. Thank you for sharing your lovely photos with us.
Kay
Alberta, Canada
A very unique walk, different from any other walk I did today! That's what I like about blogging!
Thanks for your visit!
Ganda, ganda! I've been saying lately that I want to go back to Vigan. Well done, Luna!
PS. I got so excited about your Vigan post I forgot to tell you that my HK friends go absolutely NUTS with joy over the inexpensive seafood in Manila. I think they come to my house to cook, not to see me! :-D
Beautiful pictures of Calle Crisologo, and it sure has the feel of old town. A must in my to-visit list! Love the night shots!
How beautiful and interesting ! I didn't know that there were so many spanish style houses there.
Very interesting post with great shots.
greetings
I don't comment much. But this is one post I can't help but say something about.
The photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing our wonderful country to people like me who haven't been around much.
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