By: Althea I. Austria, ITS Traveler's Notebook
08 JUNE 2024 0700H
Photo credit: Calle Crisologo
Calle Crisologo is a picturesque street in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, that dates back to the Spanish colonial era. It is known for its well-preserved and charming architecture that gives visitors a glimpse of Vigan's rich history and heritage.
Located in Vigan City, a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the New7Wonders Cities of the World, Calle Crisologo is unarguably the most photographed and most popular tourist attraction in all of Ilocos Sur.
Ilocos or specifically Vigan City, is not just known for its architectural beauty but it is also famous for their cuisines and delicacies, that's why in this blog of mine, I will introduce some of the restaurants, cafés, and other activities that you must do when you visit Calle Crisologo in Vigan City.
Now let's begin our journey and let's go back to the Hispanic Era of Vigan City!
Where to Eat in Vigan: Must-Try Local Food
Café Bigaa
Photo by: Vigan Plaza Hotel
Café Bigaa is known for their unique and delicate cuisines that serves a different style of Filipino food. Café Bigaa is renowned for serving genuine Ilocano food, the café is particularly proud of its Vigan Longganisa, Bagnet, Igado, and Sinanglao dishes.
Pasta and other Western fare are also served at Café Bigaa. Rusangis pasta with cream sauce and local seafood as the main component is one of its traditional favourites. This quaint restaurant with a rustic decor is housed within the 130-year-old Vigan Plaza Hotel.
The word "Bigaa," which derives from an Ilocano word for taro plant, is how the city of Vigan got its name. The Vigan Sampler, one of their best-selling items, is ideal if you want to try all their very well-known Ilocano meal on a one platter. Along with Bagnet (crispy pig belly), you'll also get Longganisa (Spanish sausage), Pinakbet (steamed vegetables in shrimp or fish sauce), pig Daldalem (pork liver in vinegar and soy sauce) and Sinanglao (boiled cow guts with kamias and bile).
Address: Hotel, Plaza Burgos, Vigan Plaza, Crisologo, Vigan City, 2077 Lalawigan ng Ilocos Sur
Contact: 09177999874
Calle Brewery
Calle Brewery is a brewery that is tucked away in the heart of Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It is a dining experience that combines casual comfort and refinement, serving Ilocano-inspired American food, artisan beer, fresh seafood, and grilled meats. Calle Brewery opened in March 2018 and ever since provided a distinctive dining experience. Customer service is given first importance, and each dish reflects the chef's enthusiasm for cooking. Calle Private parties are also held at the brewery in the dining area, which has room for up to more than 50 people.
In Vigan, Casa Lourdes is the place to get smoked meats and locally brewed artisan beverages. The Syquia Mansion Museum is located less than 200 metres away, along Calle Crisologo.
The lengthy bar at the brewery's entryway is where their locally brewed handcrafted beers are served. The neighbourhood brewery, which produces artisan brews, is located behind the eatery. Calle Brewery follows a strict 7-step brewing process from milling to bottling to guarantee the authenticity of their locally brewed beers.
Address: Casa Lourdes, #11 Calle Encarnacion, Vigan, Ilocos Sur 2700
Contact: 0917 124 3849
After we scan and tried the food along the streets of Calle Crisologo, let's now proceed to the things we must do while we are still in Vigan City!
Visitors of Vigan City can have a unique and unforgettable experience by visiting Calle Crisologo, which features a variety of activities and attractions that highlight the history, culture, and attractiveness of the city.
See the list below:
What to Do in Vigan: Fun Activities to Try
1. Walk down the streets:
Photo by: Xeleenah Jonabelle Chavez
A leisurely stroll down the cobblestone street is the ideal way to soak up the street's lovely and attractive atmosphere. Take in the sights, sounds, and buildings that have been preserved from Vigan's Spanish colonial past.
2. Take a ride in a kalesa:
Photo by: Xeleenah Jonabelle Chavez
A kalesa, or horse-drawn carriage, is a well-known form of transit in Vigan. To fully appreciate the charm and beauty of the city, take a ride around Calle Crisologo and the surrounding attractions.
3. See the Museum:
Photo by: Guide to the Philippines
Situated along Calle Crisologo, the ancestral home of the Crisologo family is now a museum showcasing the family's contribution to the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial control. A look into Vigan's past is provided by the exhibits and artefacts housed within the museum.
4. Shop for souvenirs:
Photo by: Xeleenah Jonabelle Chavez
The street is dotted with stores and booths offering a range of souvenirs, such as handicrafts, fabrics, and food items produced locally. Carry a memento of Vigan's culture and history with you from your trip.
5. See the neighbouring sites:
Photo credit: Vigan Cathedral
Vigan offers a plethora of attractions, Calle Crisologo being only one of them. Seize the chance to see some of the surrounding sites, such as the Syquia Mansion, Plaza Salcedo, and the Cathedral of Vigan.
And this concluded our trip to Calle Crisologo of Vigan City. May you find your peace by traveling across the country or even by traveling around the world!
Have a blastful wandering my fellow wanderers, see you on the other side! (Reporting Althea Idulsa Austria, ITS Traveler's Notebook).
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