Bantay Bell Tower

The Bantay Bell Tower stands on a hilltop in neighboring Bantay town, 15 minutes from Calle Crisologo. Built in 1591 of brick and coral stone, it's one of the oldest bell towers in the Philippines and was used as a watchtower against marauders during Spanish colonial times.

The tower is detached from the adjacent St. Augustine Church (also from 1591) — bell towers in the Philippines were often built separately to protect churches from earthquake damage if the tower collapsed. The tower's 4 floors have been restored multiple times after various earthquakes.

You can climb to the top (small entrance fee) for a panorama of Vigan, the Abra River, and Bantay rice fields. The narrow stairwell is steep — wear shoes with grip.

The church next door has restored stained glass and is worth a quick visit. Outside, vendors sell empanada (the local rice-flour pastry) and basi (sugar cane wine).