🕍 St. William Cathedral Bell Tower Laoag: The Philippines’ Tallest and Heaviest

🏰 The First Landmark You’ll See in Laoag

Standing tall and proud at 45 meters, the bell tower of St. William Cathedral is reputed to be the most solid, massive, and tallest bell tower in the Philippines. As you enter Laoag’s town proper, this centuries-old structure is the first thing to greet your eyes.

📍 Laoag, Ilocos Norte
🕰️ Height: 45 meters | Built: 17th Century
🏛️ Iconic Filipino Heritage Site 

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🐴 Stories from the Past

Legend has it that back in the day, a person on horseback could ride straight into the tower through its door. Now, the entrance is so low that visitors must bend over just to enter.

The tower houses six bells of different sizes, each with its own history and purpose.

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🛡️ Bell Towers as Watchtowers: A Unique Ilocano Feature

In Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, most churches have bell towers physically separated from the main church building. A local explained that this was intentional:

• ⛪ The church served as an evacuation center, protecting women and children during attacks.
• 🕰️ Men used the bell tower as a watchtower to keep an eye out for enemy soldiers.

This tower is the furthest from the church I’ve seen, but it still commands a strategic vantage point.

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📸 Visit and Photography Tips

Though we couldn’t get close this time (priority was mass attendance), you won’t miss this bell tower — even with its slight sinking, it’s visible from afar.

🌟 I’m eager to return to Laoag to explore the tower properly and capture its grandeur up close.

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✅ Visitor Tips

• 📅 Visit during church hours to attend mass and explore
• 📷 Bring a zoom lens or camera for photos if you can’t get close
• 👟 Comfortable shoes recommended for walking around the town proper
• 🕰️ Plan extra time if you want to visit the tower and the cathedral