The Herritage VillagE
World Heritage Cities Solidarity Day
Another great time to visit Vigan is during their World Heritage Cities Solidarity Day celebration every
September 8. Vigan celebrates this with other cities all over the world that have world heritage sites.
In Vigan this special day is actually commemorated with week-long festivities aimed at strengthening pride in the history and culture of Vigan. This aim is in keeping with the long-term goal of preserving the 630 heritage structures that date back from the 18th and 19th century.
Vigan’s well-preserved Spanish trading town environ has survived the test of time, including bombings during World War II which leveled the major Philippine cities of Baguio, Cebu and Manila.
Visitors can start their Vigan heritage solidarity festivities with the Repazzo de Vigan. This is a parade that is participated in by all 39 barangays, specially the students and members of non-governmental organizations.
The participants dramatize the Biguenos’ way of life from Spanish time up to the period after World War II while they walk through the designated parade route, accompanied by music.
Will Vigan make it to Unesco’s New 7 Wonders Cities?
In 1999, the Historic Town of Vigan was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The inscription reads: “Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.”
It is one of only six Philippine properties so designated (also including Miag-ao Church in Iloilo; San Agustin Church in Manila; Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur; Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte; Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera in Ifugao; Puerto Princesa Subterranean River cNational Park in Palawan; Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Sulu Sea; Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental).
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