The Ruins is the most famous landmark in Negros Occidental. It’s located in Talisay City, just a few minutes from Bacolod City. We were able to visit this famous landmark during the MassKara Festival 2013.
From Lacson Avenue in Bacolod City, we rode a jeep that passes by the North Terminal. From there, we paid a tricycle P100 to take us to this famous landmark. Unfortunately, I forgot my kit lens and I took the following pictures using my 50mm lens (which is ideal for portraits).
The marker in front of the ruins reads:
“The Ruins of the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was built in loving memory of his deceased wife Maria Braga after her death in 1911.
The mansion, of Italianate architecture, was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair.
In the eve of World War II in 1942, the mansion was torched by the guerilla fighters and was burning for 3 days leaving behind reminders of a glorious past.”
Today, there is a café inside The Ruins and there’s also a tour that gives visitors more information about the history of the church. It could have been better if they made a scale model (or provided floor plans) of this mansion when it was still operational.
The Ruins is one of the most iconic structure in Negros Occidental. You should not miss visiting this place whenever you’re in Bacolod City.
The Ionic Order was used in the columns supporting the structure.
Detail of the stairway of The Ruins.
The cupboard under the stairs.
A miniature of The Ruins near the guest book.
Detail of the post and lintel showing how intricate the design was.
The tourist guide narrating the history of The Ruins.
The Ruins now has a mini-garden of Birds-of-Paradise flowers inside the mansion.
The Ruins is a nice place to have coffee with friends.
The chandelier made of Capiz shells.
The interior of The Ruins serves as a coffee shop these days.
Details of the windows of The Ruins in Talisay City.
The different areas of The Ruins Compound. Certainly, there are lots to do in this compound.
I wonder how many bedrooms does The Ruins have during the time that it’s still functioning.
The marker of The Ruins tells the history of this famous mansion.
The souvenir shop built just across The Ruins to cater to the numerous tourists visiting this place.
The details of the ornaments used all-throughout The Ruins.
