In the case of Paoay Church, the bell tower was not connected to the main church structure because the country experiences frequent earthquakes. For the Bantay Bell Tower, it was not connected because it also served as a watch tower against pirates.
Typical church designs have the bell tower connected to the main church. This tends to save space and make it easier for the clergy to ring the church bell. So the separate bell towers of both these churches may be considered unique.
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Brief Background of Bantay Church
Bantay Bell Church
The Bantay Bell Tower is part of the Saint Augustine Parish Church in Vigan. The church was built in 1590 and is more commonly referred to as Bantay Church today. It currently houses the miraculous image of Nuestra Señora de La Caridad, which is why the church is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity.
During the Second World War, the main church was severely damaged by bombing and was restored to its present state in 1950.
From the front, Bantay Church features some of the more intricate designs with multiple arches and balconies. And just like houses of nearby town of Vigan, the church is wrapped in red bricks.
Brief Background of Bantay Bell Tower
Bantay Bell Tower
Not to be confused with the Saint Augustine Church, which happens to be in Paoay, Bantay Church shares the similar architecture of separating the belfry from the main church structure. However, the primary objective for the Bantay Bell Tower is not for earthquake protection. Instead, the objective was to guard the town from pirates when it was built in 1591.
At the time the church was being built, pirates would ravage the town. In order to spot and prepare for their approach, the Spanish separated the bell tower and erected it on the highest point in the area.
I understand that a man with a good eye could see as far as the ocean on a good day. And if he saw ships by the shore, the townspeople could prepare its defenses and prevent their homes from being pillaged.
Incidentally, the town name of Bantay is supposed to have been derived from the purpose of the bell tower. Translated into English, bantay means guard or to guard, when applied in this situation.
Visiting Bantay Bell Tower
The Bantay Bell Tower is a ten-minute ride away from the plaza. Taking a car is possible as there is parking beside the church ground but it is limited. If a mass is going on or a tourist bus is present, things can get a bit tight.
Bantay Bell Tower
Instead of taking your own vehicle and potentially losing that great parking spot near your hotel, I suggest taking a Calesa since the bell tower is part of the Vigan Tour anyway. Travel time is still ten minutes, give or take a minute or two, away from the plaza.
[Times are similar because cars and Calesas take the same short route.]
Visiting hours are from 7:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening. Due to its proximity, the Bantay Belfry is usually the first stop when taking the Vigan Tour via Calesa.
Before being allowed up the bell tower, visitors are required to register by the entrance of the tower grounds. Entrance is free, but a donation is most welcome as it helps in the upkeep of the 423-year old belfry.
Winding Staircase
After registering, a guide will be assigned to you. Apart from providing quite a detailed history of the tower and church, he is very handy at taking group pictures.
[You may need to show him what to do if you happen to have special settings on your camera.]
Unlike the restored Bantay Church, the bell tower is completely enveloped in red bricks. Sitting at the top of the highest point of the town of Bantay, it is quite a sight to behold during the day. Once the sun sets, the bell tower is illuminated by colored spotlights to make it stand out in the night sky.
Window
One of the things I appreciate about the Bantay and Paoay churches is that there is a lot of open space around the structures. Thanks to the clergy and government resisting pressure to fill them with modern structures, there is nothing to mar their beauty.
Oh, and just in case you miss it, take a gander at the steps leading up to the belfry. You may notice they are also made of the same thick red bricks that surround the bell tower.
After entering the gate, visitors will need to climb a spiral staircase to the top. While it isn’t steep and the steps are far enough apart, exercising some caution would be prudent.
Bells
The floor at the top Bantay Bell Tower was covered in thick slabs of wood and they felt solidly bolted to the tower walls. None of the slabs squeaked or creaked when we stepped on them. And just as our guide promised, the belfry provided a clear view of the surrounding area.
There were several bells at the top, with the biggest one hanging at the center of the tower and several smaller ones fastened to the windows. Painted silver to help prevent corrosion, they still bore the dates when they were cast.
If you close your eyes and let your imagination run free, you might be able to feel the panic that observers experienced after spotting pirates advancing towards the town. The church bells would be ringing in alarm and people all over the town would be running about. Mothers would be herding their children indoors and the men would be passing on the word as well as coordinating the town’s defenses. It would have been a terrifying time for those living in the 1500s.
Final Thoughts
Being 423 years, the Bantay Bell Tower continues to be one of the most beautiful reminders of the Philippines’ rich past. Wrapped in red bricks and built on the highest point in the town of Bantay, it functioned more than a belfry for the Saint Augustine Parish Church.
Bells
Doubling up as a watch tower, it helped the Spanish and Filipinos defend the town against raiding parties sent by pirate ships at the time.
Just ten minutes away from the center of Vigan, it is very tempting for people to go there by car. However, riding the Calesa may be better as passengers can get a brief history during the ride. Once there, tourists are then handed over to guides with even more knowledge of the place.
Entrance is free, but donations are accepted to help keep the grounds and bell tower intact. Just looking at the well-cut grass and trimmed bushes of the wide area means those donations are being put to good use.
Well, time for me to head out to our next destination. If you would like to view more pictures of this belfry, please check out the Bantay Bell Tower Photo Gallery at Crazy About Pictures.
Do’s
- Watch your step.
- Keep children under strict supervision.
Don’ts
- Do not deface the walls.
- Do not litter.
Do not get too close to the window ledges as there are no restraining bars.
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