Top 10 Historical Places in Ilocos

Ilocos is a region in the Philippines, encompassing the northwestern coast of Luzon island. It’s known for its historic sites, beaches and the well-preserved Spanish colonial city of Vigan. Dating from the 16th century, Vigan’s Mestizo district is characterized by cobblestone streets and mansions with wrought-iron balconies. Farther north, Laoag City is a jumping-off point for the huge La Paz Sand Dunes.

1. Paoay Church

Situated in the first class city in the Province of Ilocos Norte, Laoag City has never failed to bring us travel back the time. Paoay church is the Philippines' primary example of a Spanish colonial earthquake baroque architecture dubbed by Alicia Coseteng, an interpretation of the European Baroque adapted to the seismic condition of the country through the use of enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. The adaptive reuse of baroque style against earthquake is developed since many destructive earthquakes destroyed earlier churches in the country. Javanese architecture reminiscent of Borobudur of Java can also be seen on the church walls and facade

2. Vigan

Vigan is a city in the Philippines, on the west coast of Luzon island. It's known for its preserved Spanish colonial and Asian architecture. Calle Crisologo dominates the Mestizo district, with its cobblestone streets, malecón, horse-drawn carriages and rustic mansions. Near the white baroque Vigan Cathedral are Plaza Salcedo, offering fountain light shows, and Plaza Burgos, known for its street-food stalls.
 
3. Bangui Wind Farm

Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea.

4.  La Paz Sand Dunes

La Paz Sand Dunes is a unique attraction in the city of Laoag for being a sandy coastal desert with an area of 85 square kilometers. This is considered to be a National Geological Monument because of its uniqueness being a desert environment. The sand dunes were formed by the interaction of the wind, sea and river that together cause erosion and deposition. The height of the sand dunes ranges from 10-30 meters.

5. Sinking Bell Tower

 Despite the rise of modern buildings surrounding the bell tower, Laoag City's skyline is prominently shaped by this historic building. The Laoag sinking bell tower is one of Laoag City’s most famous landmarks in fact one of the top Ilocos Norte tourist attractions. The structure is claimed to be the most solid and tallest bell tower in the Philippines. This massive 45-meter (150 foot) bell tower was also built by the Augustinians in 1612. The tower is sinking as it is so heavy and was built on sandy foundations which are too soft.

6. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

 Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines.The lighthouse was first lit on March 30, 1892, and is set high on Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the scenic Cape Bojeador where early galleons used to sail by. After over 100 years, it still functions and serves ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town.

7. The Winding Patapat Bridge

The Patapat Viaduct is a viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines.The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level. It is a concrete coastal bridge 1.3 km long and connects the Maharlika Highway from Ilocos Region to Cagayan Valley. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines.

8. Paoay Lake National Park 

 Paoay Lake, locally known as Dacquel a Danum  (Ilokano, "big water"), is a lake in the municipality of Paoay in northwestern Luzon in the Philippines. It is the largest lake in the province of Ilocos Norte and one of the largest natural lakes in the area. The freshwater lake and its 1-kilometre (0.62 mi) surroundings was declared a national park in 1969.

9. Aqua Grande

 The Agua-Grande River (also known in Ilocano as dakkel a danum) is known for its eco-friendly and non carbon producing mini-hydro electric power plant. The Agua-Grande and Mabogabog falls supply the water power to turn the turbines.

10.  Museo de Bacarra 

 The Museo de Bacarra formally opened in early November 2012 after more than a year of collecting artifacts contributed mostly by residents. The once-abandoned two-storey convent was given a facelift with funds coming from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts it is a museum of religious and cultural artifacts housed inside the restored St. Andrew the Apostle convent.