[2025 Bacolod Attraction] Travel Guide for San Sebastian Cathedral (Updated Mar)

It was a trip to Bacolod, Philippines 🇵🇭 We began our adventure with a visit to The Ruins, the beautiful remains of the former mansion of the Lacson family. Located in Talisay, just outside Bacolod, the mansion was built in the early 1900s and was burned during World War II, leaving only the skeletal structure that stands as a testament to its past ✨ The well-maintained garden 🌺 around the ruins provide the perfect backdrop for photography, especially during the late afternoon ✨ when the sunlight bathes the ruins in a warm, golden hue. We highly recommend visiting around 4:30 PM to catch the sunset 🌇 it's magical! 📍The Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines Another highlight of our trip was the San Sebastian Cathedral ⛪️ a stunning example of Spanish colonial architecture. Located right in the heart of Bacolod, we explored this historical landmark in the morning ☀️ The cathedral's facade is beautiful, and the interior's tranquil atmosphere is perfect for some quiet reflection. We recommend taking photos 📸 of the grand facade as well as the intricate stained-glass windows. It’s particularly serene in the morning before the crowds arrive. 📍San Sebastian Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines One of the best places we visited for a local experience was Bacolod Public Plaza, situated near the cathedral. The park is filled with lush greenery, fountains ⛲️ and sculptures, making it a peaceful yet bustling spot in the city. We spent some time here capturing photos of the vibrant local life and the iconic statue of the city's founder. For the best lighting ✨ we recommend visiting early in the morning or during the late afternoon for softer natural light. 📍Araneta Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines For nature lovers, a trip to the Negros Forests 🌳 and Ecological Foundation is a must. We had an unforgettable experience exploring the wildlife sanctuary that houses 🏘️ endemic species of birds 🦅 plants, and animals unique to the region. The lush forest 🌳 setting provides a fantastic opportunity for photography, especially for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. We recommend visiting in the morning ☀️ when the animals are most active and the forest is peaceful. 📍1st Lacson Street Extension, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines We truly enjoyed our time in Bacolod and found it to be a city full of vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and delicious food. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or a foodie, Bacolod has something for everyone 🙌🙌🙌 #philippinestrip #travel #Vacation

#celebratewithtrip One of my favorite destination in the Philippines is always the Visayas region. And when in Central Visayas, one should not miss going to Negros Occidental. Bacolod, the city capital of Negros Occidental is located on the northwest coast of Negros Island. There are a lot of things to see here. First is the 19th-century San Sebastian Cathedral stands beside Bacolod Public Plaza. The original bells of the church are currently on display beside the churchyard. Another place to go is the Dizon-Ramos Museum. It is a 1950s placed with memorabilia and photographs of the prominent family that once lived there. Finally, one should not miss The Capitol Park and Lagoon. It has a gorgeous lake and 2 golden water buffalo statues.

San Sebastian Cathedral is a Catholic Church located in the city of Bacolod near the Plaza. when we are there we attended the English mass at 10:30am sunday. So if you are Catholic don’t forget to dropby to this church. The Location is great near SM bacolo, The Plaza and have different stalls nearby. A small village inhabited by Malayans called Magsungay was placed under the protection of St. Sebastian by early Christian missionaries during the 1700s. This village was later came to be known as San Sebastian de Magsungay and was put under the governance of Bernardo de los Santos, the village’s first gobernadorcillo. Due to widespread Moro pirate attacks, the people of Magsungay moved to a new settlement upon the hilly terrain called bakólod, the precursor of the modern-day city of Bacolod. In 1806, Fr. Leon Pedro was appointed as its first parish priest. Years later, Fr. Gonzaga, a young priest from Barcelona, would envision the construction of the San Sebastian Church. #sansebastiancathedral #bacolod #negrosoccidental #philippinespride #philippinestrip #philippines #vacation

Although I missed the MassKara Festival in October, the City of Smiles still beckoned, so I decided to visit. Bacolod City doesn't have many attractions within the city itself, just a few churches and museums, but the ruins on the outskirts are famous far and wide. If you hurry, you can see it all in one day. 🏞Itinerary: San Sebastian Cathedral—Bacolod Old City Hall—The Ruins 🕰Morning: 1️⃣ San Sebastian Cathedral This medieval church ⛪ is right behind the accommodations. The main structure is built with coral stones from Guimaras Island. 👉The coral stone exterior walls in the sunlight and the Baroque dome are unique. It is said that there is a saint's festival in January. 💡Tip: This is not a tourist-style church, so please be quiet during your visit. You can experience the local religious culture during mass.⛪ 💰Admission: Free! 📍Address: Rizal St., Bacolod City (10 mins walk from the city center) ⏰Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 6:00–19:00 / Sunday 5:00–20:30 2️⃣ Bacolod Old City Hall This Spanish colonial building, completed in the 1880s, once served as the mayor's office. The Justice Fountain is in front of it. You must take a photo when passing by. 👉The interior is not open to the public, but the Old City Hall is in the most prosperous area of the city, close to restaurants and shops. 📍Address: Intersection of Araneta and Luzuriaga Streets, city center 🚶‍♀️Transportation: Walking distance to the public square/cathedral, forming a triangle with the Justice Fountain for photo opportunities 🕰Afternoon 3️⃣ The Ruins 🌺These ruins are known as the Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental and are a must-see attraction. 👉In the Middle Ages, sugar tycoon Don Mariano built this Italian-style manor to commemorate his wife, Maria, who died in childbirth. During World War II, to prevent the Japanese army from occupying it, the manor was burned for three days, leaving only the skeleton. 🌟If you have time, count whether there are 10 bedrooms. The concrete building has a marble-like sheen, and the shell decorations are a tribute to his father-in-law, a sea captain. The initials "Ms" are hidden in the carvings on the pillars, a poignant detail!! 📍Tips: The sunset through the ruins is especially picturesque. The mango smoothie at the cafe at the entrance is excellent.👍👍 Listen to the family descendants tell the secrets and touch the time marks on the tiles. ⏰Opening hours: 9:00–18:00 (open daily) 📍Address: Talisay City, Negros Occidental (10 mins drive from Bacolod City) 🚗Transportation: A taxi from Bacolod City costs about 150 pesos, or take a jeepney to Talisay and then walk.

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