Residing near the heart of Negros Island, just 12 minutes from Bacolod-Silay Airport is a testament of love and war. A mansion that became a witness and later on an architectural heritage.
“The Ruins” or so-called the Taj Mahal of the Philippines, a mansion built by a sugar baron to his baroness has so much more to offer than its neo-Romanesque pillars and breathtaking form.
Inspired by Italian architecture, this majestic view stands out and is one of the most visited spots around Negros Island. Conveniently located near Robinson’s Mall, Bacolod-Silay Airport and Bacolod city, It has become one of the MUSTS for tourists visiting the area.
But what really inspired such eloquent and stunning piece of architecture and why was it destroyed in the end? Let’s take a short trip back in time.
The fountain and the main entrance of the house
Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy sugar baron married to his portuguese wife Maria Braga Lacson erected this mansion as a loving memory when she died during the birth of their eleventh child.
Back in the days it was hailed as the biggest residential structure in the area amidst hectares and hectares of sugarfield. However as the golden days of the mansion came to pass and the second world war occured the mansion was burned by the Fiipino Guirellas under the command of US Armed forces to prevent it from being used as a headquarters of the Nippon Teikoku Rikugun or the Japanese Imperial Army. It was said to have been burning for 3 days until only it’s facade, floors and columns were left.
The main entrance of the house facing the gardens
One of the halls overlooking the garden and cafe
The souvenir shop
The main lobby near the comfort rooms
- Through Public Transportation
- From Bacolod Downtown area, take the jeepney named: “BATA” (prepare 10 to 15 pesos)
- Ask the driver to drop you off: BANGGA ROSE LAWN
- Take a tricycle going to The Ruins (prepare 10-30 pesos)
- Through Bacolod-Silay airport
- You can take the shuttle bus (150 pesos) and ask the driver to drop you off Bangga Rose Lawn
- Take a tricycle going to The Ruins (prepare 10-30 pesos)
- Tricycle fare going to the ruins is usualy 30 pesos if you are alone
- Tricycle fare goes down to 10 pesos if you share the ride with others
- 100 pesos for adults
- 50 pesos for students (bring your school I.D)
- 20 pesos for kids
- The columns of the ruins isnt just made by cement, it was also infused by kapis shells and egg shells which is why it seems to glow when hit by the sun during dusk.
- One of their tour guides named: “Roger” was a finalist in Pinoy Big Brother, a big hit reality show in the Philippines so make sure to book him if he is available.
- There is a cafe inside the place so dont worry if you get there with an empty stomach
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