Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, Vigan
On January 31, 1790, the cornerstone of the present Vigan Cathedral was placed. Most of the original features of the church interior are still intact. The Cathedral has twelve altars with hammered-silver panels, three naves, and a choir loft. Above the main doorway is an alcove that depicts the conversion of St. Paul. After four years the walls were finished, all in stone, the baptistery was completed together with the side chapels; the beautiful facade was finished up to the cornice and the wall at the back of the cathedral was also ready. The Church's main door held by two pairs of columns which rise to the second tier of the facade. The moldings on its facade and the brass communion rails give hints of the Chinese influence in the church's designs and architecture. Its bell tower stands separately in Plaza Burgos, 10 meters south of the cathedral. The bell tower is about 25 meters high and it is surmounted by a large bronze weathercock that is said to symbolize St Peter. The cathedral was the first building in Ilocos with tiles on the roof.