From the urban landscape of Bacolod City down to the greens and plains of sugar plantations along the inner roads of Talisay City, a captivating surprise awaits and ready to transport anyone to a different dimension. The remnants of a grand mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson popularly known today as The Ruins, a proud memento of the family’s glorious past and a reminder of the town’s bygone era.
- The skeleton of the mansion of Don Mariano Braga and the well maintained garden
Meticulously built in early 1900’s in the loving memory of Don Mariano’s first wife Maria Braga, a Portuguese from Macau, the mansion became the residence of Don Mariano and his children. It was said to be the largest residential structure ever built in Negros during that era and had in it the finest furniture, chinaware, and decorative items before the Filipino guerrilla fighters USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) torched the place in early part of World War II to prevent the Japanese from utilizing it as their headquarters.
A brochure of the place describes, “The structure of The Ruins is of Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque columns, having a very close semblance to the facade of Carnegie Hall in New York City. In New England, they often were homes to ship’s captains. A belvedere, facing west, affords a beautiful view of the sunset in a glassed-in sunroom with bay windows.”
- It was torched by USAFFE to prevent Japanese forces from using it
The Ruins survived the wars and revolutions; weathered countless earthquakes, storms and other calamities; and yet still standing beautifully amid the changing times. It is perhaps the most popular landmark of the province apart from Bacolod’s Masskara Festival. It stands proud as an architectural legacy of its vibrant past.
It is open everyday from 8AM to 8PM, entrance fee is P40.00 for adults, P20.00 for kids and P100.00 for unlimited monthly pass. The complex can also be used for special events, occasions, performances and gatherings. A restaurant also opened in The Ruins offering Mediterranean cuisines and operates from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Recently they also opened an 18-hole Mini-Golf Course.
- The Ruins stands proud as an architectural legacy of its vibrant past.
For reservation and inquiries contact +6334-4764334/63917 8326003, email lacson_mansion[at]yahoo.com or visit their website at http://theruins.com.ph
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How to Commute to The Ruins
Along Lacson Street, catch a multicab to Barangay Bata (P7.00) and alight at the Pepsi Plant. From there ride a trike to The Ruins which is around 2 kilometers away (P20.00) one-way.
The ruins in talisay is really fascinating. A good tourist spot in negros island.
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