BANTAY CHURCH BELL TOWER

The imposing tower on top of  the hill near the Nuestra Senora de Caridad Church in Bantay serves both as a bellfry and a watch tower.  It was erected way back in 1591-1592.

Its location  offers a vantage view  of  Vigan and its neighboring towns. The Banaoang bridge can also be seen on broad daylight. 

enclosed is the Banaoang bridge

view of Bantay and Vigan from the bell tower

 Visitors can limb up  the spiral stairs and see up close the bells. There's one big bell at the middle and some smaller bells hanged around.Like any other bell church towers ,its spiraling stairs get steeper as it gets higher.  Those who are suffering from vertigo or have fear of heights are not advisable to climb.

If I am not mistaken, some scenes of  the famous Filipino movie "Ang Panday" were shot here. I am referring  to the original versions wherein the equally famous actor, Fernando Poe, Jr. was the main protagonists. Today it is now a tourist attraction and part of the Bantay  Church's Pilgrimage site. 

Read my other posts on my Ilocos Sur series

1.  Historic Town Of Vigan
2. Vigan City Attractions and Festivals
3.  Calle Crisologo| Vigan Heritage Village
4. Buridek Children's Museum
5. Vigan Cathedral| St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral
6. Apo Caridad Pilgrimage Site| Bantay's Best Kept Secret
7. Bantay Church Bell Tower
8. Vigan Dancing Fountain and Laser Lights Show
9. Baluarte| A Zoo in the Historic Town of Vigan
10. Discovering Vigan's Hidden Garden
11. Pagburnayan| Vigan Jar Factory