A brick bell tower on a hill in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, just north of Vigan. It was used as a watchtower to spot pirates during the Spanish era and is visited together with the adjacent Bantay Church.
Google rating: 4.5.
Location & How to Get There — Located in the town of Bantay, Ilocos Sur, just north of the Vigan old town. It is about a 10-minute tricycle ride from Calle Crisologo. From Angeles and Clark, Vigan is about a 5 to 6-hour drive (approx. 320 km). By bus, you can take a Vigan-bound bus like Partas from the Dau (Mabalacat) terminal, which takes about 5.5 to 6.5 hours.
What to See — This brick bell tower stands on a hill next to St. Augustine Church (Bantay Church), which was built in 1590. Just as the town's name "Bantay" means "to guard," it served as a watchtower to monitor pirates during the Spanish era and as a lookout post during World War II. From the top of the hill, you can overlook the town of Bantay and the surrounding fields.
Admission & Visiting — There is no entrance fee, and donations are voluntary. Many reviews note that due to partial damage to the bell tower from the July 2022 Abra earthquake (magnitude 7.0), going up the interior stairs is prohibited, and it can only be viewed from the outside. Renovation work on the church and bell tower may be ongoing, so please check the accessible areas on-site.
Tips for Visitors — Since the church is a place of worship where Masses are held, please dress modestly and keep quiet while exploring. It is often combined with Vigan old town and Baluarte into a half-day itinerary using a kalesa or tricycle.
※ Visitor information is confirmed as of 2026-10-10 and is subject to change depending on renovation work.
Summary of Online Reviews
Synthesizing 6 Naver Blog reviews (2014–2025), most visitors stopped by Bantay Church while touring Vigan old town by kalesa (horse-drawn carriage). Posts up to 2020 frequently mention signing a guestbook at the entrance, making a small donation, climbing the narrow stairs all the way to the top floor where the bell hangs, and enjoying views of the church, the adjacent cemetery, and downtown Vigan. A 2025 post reports that climbing up is no longer allowed following earthquake damage, so visitors can only look around from the outside. Many reviews mention taking commemorative photos at the photo zone in front of the bell tower, and that local photographers help pose visitors in various ways with the bell in the background. Some posts also mention going inside the neighboring church to look around.
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Info updated Oct 10
Menu updated Oct 10
