A Visit to the Vigan City Museum

Being the mecca of culture and heritage in the north, Vigan City is – without a doubt – an exciting place to visit. Apart from its centuries-old antique houses and its renowned Calle Crisologo, there are still other things to explore around the city to learn more about its history. Museums serve as a window into the rich tapestry of human history, offering a glimpse into the cultural movements, triumphs, tribulations, and the development of society across the ages. Vigan is home to several museums that you can explore. Unbeknownst to many, there stands a museum that highlights and chronicles Vigan as a society and a center for culture and development through the ages. In this article, we are going to explore the Vigan City Museum.

A Look at Vigan City Museum

The Vigan City Museum is one of the museums in Vigan City that offers a captivating journey into the rich history and cultural heritage of the city. It is part of the Vigan Conservation Complex, a complex that includes a training center, a library, and the museum itself. The complex is located at Brgy. San Julian Sur, a quick five-minute ride from the city’s poblacion.

You have to pay an entrance fee to enter the museum: Php 20 pesos for Vigan City residents and Php 40 for non-Vigan City residents (as of October 2023).

As you step into its halls, an impressive collection that chronicles the history of Vigan through the centuries welcomes you. From intricately preserved artifacts to immersive exhibits, a visit to the Vigan City Museum promises an enriching experience that unveils the vibrant tapestry of the city’s past.

To be honest, it was my first entering the museum when I led my students there. I have been hearing about it for a while now, but it was only recently that I was able to explore it. I got to communicate with the museum technician beforehand. Hence, we were able to avail ourselves of their guided tour service.

The museum is divided into different parts, each of which brings to life different aspects of Vigan, the people, and its history. By the way, we refer to the residents of Vigan City as Bigueños. You might be seeing this term a lot in this article.

The Bigueño Gestures of Devotion and Promise

Upon entry, the first section that would welcome you revolves around the devotion and beliefs of the Ilocanos. Ma’am Cyrille, our guide, first mentioned the etymology of the city’s name. Then, she discussed how the faith of the people provides a stronghold to its history. This section features religious relics, replicas, and antique items. There are also posters that talk about how Vigan, as “Villa Fernandina,” became the seat of Christian faith in the North.

Some of the antique figurines include the image of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, which was found after an excruciating search. They also have a replica of Apo Lakay, an image of the crucified Christ whose original image is found at Sinait, Ilocos Sur. You can also find a replica of Our Lady of Caridad (pictured above), the patroness of Ilocandia, whose original image stays at St. Augustine Parish in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. These images alone would give you a glimpse of the deep-rooted religiosity of the Ilocanos throughout the ages.

What struck me the most about the first section is the Abong abong. As someone who grew up with this tradition, it felt gratifying to see it on full display at the museum. Abong abong, according to the museum, is a traditional folk structure that locals built along the streets. The locals adorn it with vegetables and fruits, a sign of their successful harvest. It is under an abong abong where the Bigueños would recite and chant the leccio.

On one of the walls, you can find a transcript of a leccio, a sung requiem by Mary (or, at times, Joseph), on the suffering and death of Jesus. You can only hear leccio being played during Lent.

The City and its Culture

Once you reach the second floor, a rich collection of displays that elucidates Vigan and its culture will welcome you. Ms. Cyrille introduced to us this huge map plastered on the wall. She explained that it was a terra cota interpretation of an 1803 map of Ilocos, hence the old names of the towns.

Other displays included the inabel production and burnay (earthen jars), both of which are indigenous products of Vigan.

There is also a miniature 3D map of what used to be the Poblacion of Vigan during the Spanish occupation. It is worth noting that many of these houses still stand today. While some things might have changed – like Plaza Salcedo and Plaza Maestro – the majority of the map still remains intact up to this day.

The Men and Women of Vigan

The museum also honors its homegrown heroes, artists, and writers. It displays sculptures of famous Vigan men and women, such as Esteban Pichay Villanueva, Leona Florentino, and Isabelo de los Reyes. Esteban Pichay Villanueva painted a series of paintings that depicted the 1807 Basi Revolt. You can still see these 14 paintings at the National Museum Ilocos Regional Museum Complex. Leona Florentino was a poet, and her son, Isabelo de ls Reyes, was a pioneer labor activist.

The museum also has a dedicated area that elaborates on the love story that saved Vigan City from being bombed during World War II. Adela Tolentino practically asked her husband, Captain Fujiro Takahashi, to spare Vigan from being bombed. During the war, Takahashi sought help from Fr. Joseph Klekamp, a priest of Vigan, to care for his wife and daughters. In exchange, Japanese troops agreed to leave the city secretly to avoid the bombing.

I can still remember my late grandmother telling me about the Japanese occupation in Vigan and how she used to see Adela Tolentino riding a calesa. She also told me the horror they felt when they saw the streets of Vigan being planted with bombs. They thought that it was the end of everything. Thanks to Tolentino and Takahashi, everyone was spared, including my grandparents, who were living at the Poblacion of Vigan at that time.

Next, we passed through an interactive exhibit that brought to light the dark age of Vigan. With the sounds and the environment, you’ll discover that the city once experienced its lowest. Finally, this section displays the past mayors of Vigan City.

Casa Bigueño: Figuring the Vigan House

Casa Bigueño (Vigan house) is the last section of the museum. To reach this area, you will need to pass through a bridge. This section displays various house designs through the decades. These homes bear the imprint of their great master builders, the skills of the artisans, and the technology of its age. The styles and forms of these heritage buildings significantly contribute to the figuration of the Bigueño identity.

The name of these homes would depend on their architectural design. For instance, the “Volada House” features flying galleries with walls and windows that serve as a buffer against the summer heat. The Ladrillo House, on the other hand, features a hybrid fusion of both wood and bricks. You will find other architectural styles in this section.

The final display at the museum features the embellishment of a typical Vigan house – from the Capis windows to the Machuca floor tiles. This meticulous representation serves as a captivating window into the architectural heritage of the city. They showcase the intricate craftsmanship and cultural significance embodied within each element. As you meander through this representation, they are enveloped in the rich history and tradition that have shaped the iconic Vigan house.

Things to Remember before Heading to Vigan City Museum

Before you visit the Vigan City Museum at the Vigan City Conservation Complex, remember the following:

1. The museum is not located near Calle Crisologo. Hence, you need to ride a tricycle going to Brgy. San Julian Sur. If you have a private car, it would take you a meager five minutes to reach the museum.
2. Be prepared with your entrance fee of Php 40.
3. You can book a reservation in advance by visiting their official Facebook page. Alternatively, you can visit the Facebook page of the City Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office.
4. Similar to other museums, Vigan City Museum is closed on Mondays. So better plan your trip ahead of time.
5. After visiting the museum, you can also check out Vigan City Library which is also located at Vigan Conservation Complex.

Check Out Vigan City Museum