A Taal Tale: Why This Town is More Than its Popular Volcano

From tourists to backpackers and a handful of locals, it's safe to say that everyone has heard of the town of Taal. Perhaps by its one-of-a-kind markets and the active volcano it is known for—but recently, this bucolic town opened its doors to more attention as its tourism office started promoting the well-preserved ancient houses scattered on its streets.

Taal’s bahay-na-bato—some restored to its former glory, others untouched but with the same facades from the last century—are not only architecturally notable, as some of these houses also played an important role in our country’s history. Now, Taal can proudly claim that their entire town is a heritage site where one can experience a bygone era that brings back memories only written in books.