Hidden Gems of History: Discover the Enchanting Bell Towers of Ilocos Sur
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| Source: Niña Gillane |
Ilocos Sur, a province in the northern Philippines, is rich in history and culture. Among its many historical sites are the beautiful bell towers that tell stories from the past. Today, we will be exploring 5 bell towers that is located in Ilocos sur, though there might be more than this.
The arrangement of bell towers is based on their distance to our starting point, which begins in Tagudin and goes up to the farthest point. Tagudin is a municipality that is famous for welcoming tourists who come to Ilocos Sur from the south, particularly those who pass through La Union.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BELL TOWERS IN ILOCOS SUR
1. Tagudin Belfry
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Jane Dacumos
mentioned in her blog that in 1881 the said belfry was built by Fr. Geronimo
Rubio. The belfry is located on the left side of the St. Augustine church
viewing it from the main gate and the belfry is somewhat hidden due to a bunch
of tall trees of acacia surrounding it. The belfry has its own gate, it is a
3-layer building wherein the bells are placed in the 2nd and 3rd layer.
The Tagudin Belfry is a masterpiece creation, but it is not as popular as
other bell towers located here in Ilocos Sur. As a Tagudinian, it's sad to
see it not receiving the recognition it deserves. This beautiful belfry
should be acknowledged more. Let's take action by simply visiting this
belfry and promoting it to other tourists as well.
2. Church of Nuestra Señora De La Asuncion Bell Tower
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Welcome to our second stop which is the bell tower of Santa Maria Church, hopping here from Tagudin will take more or lesss than an hour depending on the traffic. Santa Maria's bell tower is said to be built in the year 1810, 40 years after the church of Nuestra Señora De La Asuncion was built. The bell tower was remodeled in 1863, which gives it a slightly leaning or tilting appearance. The tower is built with thick buttresses on each side, which serve as protection against disasters particularly earthquakes. The architecture of the bell tower, like the church itself, is Baroque-inspired. The bell tower stands next to the church, adding to the fortified appearance of the entire complex. Because of it, the place becomes attractive and unique which draws tourist across the world.
3. Bell Tower of St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral
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The third stop or destination of our trip is located in Vigan, Ilocos
Sur. Welcome to the bell tower of St. Paul Metropolitan Church! Many
tourist would assume Vigan is only a good place because of the famous
Calle Crisologo, however, Vigan is also rich in other historic
landmarks, cultural heritage, and structural masterpieces like this bell
tower.
The St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral bell tower stands separately in
Plaza Burgos. The bell tower is about 25 meters high and it is
topped with a big bronze weathervane that is said to symbolize St Peter. The color of the bell tower
ranges from white to cream which maches the color of the
cathedral.
Traveling from Santa Maria to Vigan city takes more or less than an our
depends on the weight of the traffic and the mode of transportation you
are taking.
4. Bantay Bell Tower
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Welcome to the fourth stop, the most famous bell tower here in Ilocos
Sur among the five, Bantay Bell Tower also known as Bantay Watch
Tower. The Bantay Bell Tower was originally built in 1591 as part of
the St. Augustine Church complex. This is also known as a watch tower
because it served as a watchtower during the Spanish Colonial period
which serves as protection against pirates and other threats.
The bell tower is situated on a hill, providing a good view for
watching over the towns of Vigan and Bantay. The architecture
is a blend of Spanish and indigenous Ilocano influences, featuring
stunning brickwork and an imposing facade.
Travelling from St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral to Bantay
Watchtower will take more or less 15 minutes when you ride a Calesa
or the horse carriage which is the best choice because the distance
from the said cathedral to Bantay bell tower is only 1
kilometer.
5. Magsingal Belfry
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The last but not the least on our list, the Magsingal
belfry, which is located in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur. The Magsingal belfry is a significant historical landmark in Magsingal,
symbolizing the town's colonial past and its transformation
over the years. The belfry showcases a combination of Spanish colonial
architecture and local building techniques.
The belfry is a multi-story tower with a square base. It has
several levels, each marked by a series of decorative arches and
windows. The belfry is not only a religious structure but also a
cultural icon for the people of Magsingal.
It plays a role in local traditions, festivities, and
community gatherings.
Travelling from the previous stop which is the Bantay
Watchtower, which is 12 km away, it will take more or less 15
minutes to travel using a car.
Travel Packages and Services
౦Travelling from Manila to our first stop that is located
in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, it will take at least 4 to 6 hours.
The fare prices range from PHP 500 to PHP 4,000, depending
on the mode of transportation you choose. Visit Rome2rio for more information.
౦If you're feeling tired after traveling to Tagudin, you can
stop and take a break at one of the cafes and resorts located
in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, visit Agoda to explore more. One more thing you can also visit the
newly opened One Ilocos Sur cafe in Tagudin as you enter Tagudin.
🗆🗆౦ After visiting all of the mentioned bell towers, going back to Manila is not that different from coming in here, but if you stop at Santa Maria and decide to go back to Manila already, you can click this hyperlink to know the necessary information you need Santa Maria to Manila. However, if you decided to go farther and includes Vigan Cathedral Bell Tower and Bantay Watchtower, you can check this hyperlink: Vigan to Manila.
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