Historical Sites

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Provincial Capitol Building in Bacolod City

The seat of the Provincial Government and one of the most impressive structures in the country. Built in 1927 but finished in 1933, the Provincial Capitol Building of Negros Occidental owes much of its impressive appearance to its Neo-Roman classic style. Presently, it houses the Negros Museum, a unique historical and humanities museum that does not collect antiquities but stories about the people of Negros. The Museum opens Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Also at the Provincial Capitol Building are the Negros Occidental Historical Council and offices of the Provincial Government's Financial Cluster. In front of the building is a large lagoon sorrounded by tropical trees, a popular spot for joggers and strollers.

Gaston Ancestral Home in Manapla

Stands in the middle of the family farm in Hacienda Rosalia and is near the sea. This house of early colonial American architecture was home to one of the first Frenchmen to settle in Negros - Ives Germaine Gaston. At the back of the house one can find a vintage 'iron mill' ran by steam in the production of sugar at the turn of the century. Visits are by appointment only.

House of General Aniceto Lacson in Talisay City

Nearly a century-old edifice standing in the midst of Hacienda Maria del Rosario in Barangay Matab-ang. Lacson led the northern revolutionary forces against Spain during the one-day uprising on November 5, 1898 in Negros. After the revolution, the Negrenses declared the establishment of the Cantonal Government of the Republic of Negros with Lacson as its president. The General's house became the seat of this short-lived Cantonal Government.

House of General Juan Araneta in Bago City

Built towards the end of the 19th century. This house with its grandiose architecture was the perfect settling for many lavish occasions and social events of the period. It stands today as the Araneta Museum. It is interesting to know that the General, who led the southern revolutionary troops during the November 5, 1898 revolt against Spain, cleverly made it appear tha this army was far stronger than it actually was by fabricating dummy rifles made of nipa stalks with shiny knives and fake cannons made of rolled "sawali mats" painted black. With the establishment of the Cantonal Government, Araneta became the Delegate of War.

Araneta Monument in Bago City

It depicts General Juan Araneta mounted on his horse during the November 5, 1898 revolution. The monument also houses the remains of the General who died in 1924. On this same plaza opposite the general's monument lies the "Revolution Marker", indicating the spot where Araneta and his men first raised the Philippine Flag.

Bago Bridge in Bago City

Sometime in the late 1920's, the Americans in Negros constructed a steel bridge spanning the expanse of Bago River. During the liberation days in March 1945, the Japanese Army tried to destroy the bridge out but was prevented from blowing it up by the Americans and the Filipino soldiers who eventually liberated the City of Bacolod. A World War II veterans marker was installed during the 50th anniversary of Negros liberation at the approach of the Bridge which was cut into half by Typhoon Ruping in 1991.

Guintabuan Marker in E.B. Magalona

Erected in memory of the heroes of Guintabuan (meeting place), the local revolutionaries who opposed American rule after the fall of Spain. It was Sitio Guintabuan, Brgy. Tanza, E.B. Magalona, where expeditionary forces from Iloilo met with the local fighters to engage American troops in battle.

Fort San Juan in Bacolod City

Was originally built in 1890 by a Recollect friar, Fray Mauricio Ferrero, who, with Fr. Fernando Cuenca, also built the San Sebastian Cathedral. The Fort served as jail for prisoners during the Spanish Era and was where the Spanish friars where incarcerated after the revolution of 1898. Today, the fort serves as the Provincial Jail.

Rizal Elementary School in Bacolod City

Originally known as Rizal Institute on Araneta Street is the first educational institution established by the Americans in Bacolod City in 1901. To date, it boasts of a "Rizal Mini-Park" constructed to commemorate the centennial year of Rizal's death.

Cinco de Noviembre Revolution Marker in Silay City

Erected in memory of the first uprising of Negrenses in Silay City during the revolution of 1898. It was at the southern end of the street now bearing the historic date where the first exchange of shots took place between the local revolutionaries and the Spanish soldiers from the small detachment in Silay.

Theodore Vinther Monument and the Unknown Soldiers Monument in Bacolod Public Plaza

Constructed in memory of American PFC Theodore Vinther, who died in defense of Bago Bridge, and the Filipino Soldiers who helped liberate the province from the Japanese invaders. These monuments have been erected at the southern and northern sides of the Bacolod City Public Plaza, respectively.

Ubong Point in Hinoba-an

An offshore area in this southern town where Col. Jesus Villamor of the Allied Intelligence Bureau was brought by submarine from Australia during the Second World War. The landing of Villamor and his Planet Party boosted the morale of the Filipino guerillas and led to the unification of the freedom fighters.

Patag Valley in Silay City

A small village at the foot of the historic Mt. Silay. Patag was the last stronghold of the Japanese Imperial Forces towards the end of the Second World War. When the Americans landed in the town of Pulupandan in 1945 to liberate Negros, some 6,000 Japanese soldiers and officials fled and took refuge in this mountain for about five months before surrendring to the Allied Forces. Declared a tourist zone, Patag is an ideal site for ecotours. It is also home to the Negros Spotted Deer thriving in the jungles of Mt. Marapara.