The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower is one of Laoag City’s most recognisable landmarks and a popular attraction for visitors exploring Ilocos Norte. Standing in the heart of the city, the massive brick tower rises approximately 45 metres and forms part of the historic precinct around St William’s Cathedral, also known as Laoag Cathedral.
Built during the Spanish colonial period, the bell tower stands apart from the cathedral and is known for its low entrance and the belief that the heavy structure has gradually settled into the ground. Its size, age and distinctive name make it a fascinating stop on a Laoag City tour and an opportunity to discover part of the city’s architectural and religious history.
The History of the Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower was built by Augustinian friars during the Spanish colonial period to serve St William’s Cathedral. The tower is commonly dated to around 1612, although some historical sources suggest that the present belfry was built after the 1707 earthquake. Standing separately from the cathedral, it remains one of Laoag City’s most distinctive historic structures.
The massive bell tower rises approximately 45 metres (150 feet) and is claimed to be one of the tallest and most solid bell towers in the Philippines. It was constructed primarily from locally made bricks, with a traditional mixture of molasses, lime, sand and juice from sablot leaves used in the masonry. Its broad form and substantial supports reflect the construction methods used for buildings exposed to earthquakes in the region.
The tower takes its name from the belief that its considerable weight has caused it to settle into the sandy ground beneath it. According to a local story, a person on horseback could once ride through the vaulted entrance, whereas today a person must stoop to pass through. The story is part of the tower’s local history and helps explain the fascination surrounding its name.
The tower continues to serve as a belfry, with its bells calling the faithful to Mass. Visitors have also been allowed to climb the stairs to the belfry, providing an opportunity to see the tower from inside and look out over Laoag City.
The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower - St Williams Cathedral
The Spanish-era St William’s Cathedral, also known as Laoag Cathedral, is one of the largest churches in the Philippines. Its foundations were laid in 1612 by Augustinian friars, who replaced an earlier wooden chapel. The cathedral is known for its Italian Renaissance-style façade and its separate Sinking Bell Tower, which is said to be sinking at a rate of about an inch a year.
The cathedral has an unusual two-storey façade, supported by two pairs of columns on either side of the arched entrance. Above the entrance is a recessed niche containing an image of Laoag City’s patron saint, San Guillermo, or Saint William.
The cathedral also features capiz windows with wrought-iron screens and timber double doors bearing the symbols Alpha and Omega. Inside, the altar displays religious images that form part of the cathedral’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
St William’s Cathedral remains an active place of worship. Catholics attend Mass there on Sundays and special holy days, and the cathedral continues to be part of everyday life in Laoag more than 400 years after its foundations were laid.
The cathedral was built using large stones, gravel and sand, with lime mixed with molasses to strengthen the mortar. Timber was used for the roof-support trusses. The original roof covering was made from cogon grass and was later replaced with nipa.
The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
The most intriguing feature of the Laoag Bell Tower is its slow descent into the ground—estimated at about one inch per year. This phenomenon is attributed to the sandy foundation upon which it was built. Unlike modern structures that rely on deep concrete pilings, the tower rests on a base ill-suited for its massive weight. Over time, the soft soil has yielded to gravity, causing the tower to sink gradually and uniformly.
Interestingly, the tower does not lean or tilt like the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Instead, it sinks vertically, maintaining its structural integrity despite the downward movement. This has led some to speculate that, barring any major geological events, the tower could continue its descent for centuries without collapsing.
Why is the Laoag Sinking Bell Tower Sinking?
The most intriguing feature of the Laoag Bell Tower is its reported gradual descent into the ground. It is often said to be sinking at a rate of about one inch per year, a phenomenon commonly attributed to the sandy ground beneath the heavy masonry structure. Over time, the soft soil is believed to have settled under the tower’s weight, contributing to the lowered appearance of its entrance.
Unlike the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Laoag Bell Tower is not generally known for a pronounced lean. It is often described as sinking vertically, although the rate and uniformity of any movement would require structural monitoring to establish. Some have speculated that the tower could continue to settle without collapsing, but its future condition also depends on the strength of its masonry, the ground beneath it and the effects of earthquakes.
The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
As St William’s Cathedral was repaired and restored over the years, its roof covering changed. Historical accounts describe an earlier covering of cogon grass, followed by nipa and later a roof referred to as taleb. These accounts associate the later roof with galvanised iron and whole bamboo, although they do not clearly explain how the materials were combined.
The cathedral has endured considerable damage during its long history. It was extensively damaged by a typhoon in 1640, an earthquake in 1706 and a fire in 1843, before being restored in 1880. Despite these events, the cathedral and its separate bell tower remain important landmarks in Laoag City. The Laoag Sinking Bell Tower for all you need to know.
