Laoag Things to Do

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The Museo Ilocos Norte - Laoag's Museum is located along Gen Antonio Luna St. It is an old corner lot building next to a grand hotel (can't remember the name of the hotel). You can either walk there or hop on a kalesa or tricycle (about 7.5pesos ride).

It is a two storey building, displaying lots of antiques and artifacts. It is also structured in a such a way that there's a stairways to the second floor showing the living quarters of Ilocanos : the hall, bedroom, living room and the kitchen. When we were there, an exhibition on the kalesa was held, so once you enter the museum you will hear a recorded sound of the kalesa "click-clad, click-clad". A good write-up on the history of the kalesa and a kalesa is being displayed... sorry, a wooden horse, not a real one..ha.ha.ha.

Museum hours : Mondays to Saturdays 9am - 12noon, 1pm to 5prm (closed on Sundays)
Entrance fee : general admission 20pesos

See more pictures of the Museum in my Travelogue "Museo Ilocos Norte"

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St. William's Cathedral a.k.a Church of Laoag is located across the street from the Sinking Bell Tower. It is majestic in structures with huge colums of pillars supporting the building. The Church is painted in a soothing cream. There is a school next to the Cathedral, as such you will see lots of children there and lots of tricycles ferrying children to/fro school.

St.William's Cathedral was originally the site of a chapel of wood and thatch which was built when the Augustinian Friars founded the Parish in 1580. It was replaced by this Church of Italian Renaissance; foundation laid in 1612. It was damaged by fire in 1843 and was restored. It was also occupied by revolutionists in 1898 and American Forces in 1899.

See more pictures attached of close-ups and structures of St.William's Cathedral

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This is one of the Must See when you are in Laoag - anyway you will not missed it as it is located right in the heart of the town of Laoag, along one of the busy main streets. The write-up of the Sinking Bell Tower :-

The centuries old bell tower of 45metres in height was built by the Augustine Friars in 1612 and is one of the tallest and most massive building in the country.

The construction is typical of the earthquake baroque structures found in Ilocos. Built with old bricks and stone-faced with lime stucco plaster, the tower rises in 4 tiers. The base with its massive rounded corners supports the graduated upper tiers noted for its graceful curved buttresses and corner treatments, giving it its early baroque appearance. The tower is crowned by a double dome topped with a cross.

Access to the top is through a vaulted tunnel leading to a winding wooden stairway. At the top are 6 bells of different sizes. A big big bell on the 3rd tier when rung can be heard in nearby towns.

Tales by old people mentioned that a person on horseback once could enter the vaulted entrance without stooping. Now an ordinary height has to stoop to enter through the tower door because the tower has sunk considerably and evenly, thus its reputation "The Sinking Bell of Laoag"

See attached pictures of vaulted entrance.

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Built in 1612 by the Augustinians, this cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Laoag. Has an Italian Renaissance architecture.

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I was here on a day before Christmas, unfortunately, the museum was closed. I only got to admire the museum's old structure, which was formerly a tabacalera warehouse.