Lal-lo

Lal-lo lies on the eastern bank of the Cagayan River, a short distance upstream from its mouth. The river was the principal route through the valley, and the settlement became an early centre of Spanish authority in northern Luzon. It was renamed Nueva Segovia and made the seat of a diocese in 1595.

Dominican missionaries established churches in the town, including the church of Saint Dominic facing the river. Bishops buried there included Miguel de Benavides, later remembered as the founder of the University of Santo Tomas. Distance from Manila and the dangers posed by the river led to the transfer of the episcopal seat to Vigan in 1755. The older name Lal-lo continued in use after Nueva Segovia ceased to be the bishop's residence.