The Ruins (mansion)

The Lacson Ruins

The Ruins in August 2023
Map of Negros Occidental showing the location of Talisay City
Former name	Taj Mahal of Philippines
Established	Early 1900 (1900)
Location	Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Coordinates	10.7102°N 122.9833°E / 10.7102; 122.9833
Type	Private in-stu open-air Local museum
Key holdings	Ruined ancestral house at a large farm.
Collection size	440 hectares (1,100 acres)
Owner	Mariano Ledesma Lacson Maria Braga Lacson
Website	theruins.com.ph
Building details
Alternative names	The Ruins
General information
Status	Preserved as dilapidated
Type	House
Architectural style	Italian architecture
Town or city	Talisay, Negros Occidental
Country	Philippines
Construction started	Early 1900
Owner	Lacson-Javellana
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ruins

The Lacson Ruins are the remains of the ancestral mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Maria Braga Lacson. It is situated in Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The mansion was built in early 1900s and inspired by Italian architecture.

History

Situated on a vast 440-hectare sugar plantation in Talisay, Negros Occidental, the Lacson Ruins was the ancestral mansion of Don Mariano Lacson, a wealthy sugar businessman of the prominent Lacson clan. It was constructed in the early 1900s in memory of his late wife, Maria Braga Lacson, who tragically passed away while giving birth to their eighth child.

During World War II, Filipino guerrillas took decisive action to prevent Japanese forces from using the mansion as a military headquarters. They set the mansion ablaze, and the fire raged for three days, reducing it to ruins. Despite the extensive damage, the foundations remained intact.

For generations, Lacson's heirs preserved the remains, valuing its sentimental significance, especially in memory of his wife. Today, the Lacson Ruins is considered as one of the most iconic architectural landmarks of Philippines, symbolizing both historical resilience and personal legacy.

Current status

Known variously as the "Taj Mahal of Talisay", "Taj Mahal of Negros" and "Taj Mahal of the Philippines", it is in the private ownership of the descendants of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga. They have preserved it in its ruined state, among operational farmland, as a tourist attraction that can be visited for a fee or hired for events. It is open to daily visitors from 8am to 8pm for an entrance fee of PHP150 for adults, PHP100 for senior citizens or PWD, PHP 80 for students and free for children. The fee is PHP1000 for those who will take photoshoots.

Gallery

• 
  West façade
• 
  South façade with fountain
• 
  Mansion garden
• 
  The Ruins at dusk

See also

• Taj Mahal of India
• Balay Negrense
• Hacienda Rosalia
• Silliman Hall
• Dizon-Ramos Museum
• Museo Negrense de La Salle
• Dr. Jose Corteza Locsin Ancestral House
• Balay ni Tana Dicang
• Lacson–Yusay Ancestral House