One of the places we visited as part of our Vigan side-trip was the Saint Augustine Parish Church. Commonly known as Bantay Church, it was first constructed on its current site in 1590. The present facade though, was the result of the reconstruction job done in 1950, after it was heavily damaged during World War II. Aside from its Neo-Gothic Architecture that incorporated pseudo-Romanesque elements, the church is also famous for its Belfry situated a short distance from the church.
Bantay Church and Bell Tower | Ilocos Sur
The Saint Augustine Parish Church
Located in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, the Saint Augustine Parish Church is also referred to as the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad, and houses the image of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Charity—said to be a miraculous image crowned by Pope Pius XII as patroness of Ilocandia on January 12, 1956. Originally, the church was built and designed with Baroque architecture, and in later years in the late 19th century, was reinforced with thick buttressed walls after enduring numerous destructive earthquakes. This method of strengthening old churches back then earned it the Earthquake Baroque architecture label.
The interior of the church is bare other than the arching steel columns and a modest altar. The walls are painted white, and the large windows allow natural light that keeps the inside appearing bright. Beside the church is a small museum housing old photographs of the church and the town of Bantay. There is also a small courtyard leading to a garden and an outdoor chapel—aptly called the Chapel by the Ruins.
The Bantay Belfry Watchtower
Living up to its name Bantay, which translates to ‘guard’ in English, the Bantay Belfry sits atop a hill overlooking the quaint town of Bantay. Back in the day, it was constructed on this strategic spot to serve as a watchtower to defend the town from attacking pirates. During World War II, it was also manned by Filipino Guerrilla Fighters and later on by retreating Japanese forces during the peak of the liberation of the Philippines.
Today, if you look out from one of the Belfry’s windows, you can see a pleasant view of the encircling trees and piles of white crosses planted on multiple levels of graves laid out at the town's public cemetery.
Film quiz trivia hotshot: The Bantay Watchtower was among the shooting locations of the classic Filipino movie "Ang Panday".
Together with my girlfriend Monnette and her two sisters Tuesday and Len, we spent almost an hour just resting and enjoying the view from the Belfry's tower. If it weren't for the arrival of a couple of tourists, we would have stayed longer, as we left a few minutes later to give the two of them some privacy. Plus, we were already famished and craving Vigan bagnet and pinakbet.
Full of history and charming architecture, the Bantay Church and Bell Tower is a must-see attraction whenever you find yourself in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
How to go to Bantay Church Bell Tower
Take either a slow but calming Kalesa ride or a faster tricycle ride to Bantay Church Bell Tower if you don't fancy taking a 20-minute walk from Vigan City.
More Ilocos Roadtrip Guides
This guide is part of my larger Ilocos Roadtrip Series. Discover more destinations to explore in the north:
The Baroque Church of PaoayThe Heritage House of Villa Angela
Malacañang of the North
Charging at the Mad Max Vibe of La Paz Sand Dunes
Where to Stay in Laoag: Balay de Blas
A Pit-stop at Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
