Negros Occidental - Silay City Tourist Spots and Attractions (near Bacolod City)

Identified as one of the 25 major tourist destinations in the country by the Department of Tourism, Silay City is considered as the “Seat of arts, culture and eco-tourism in Western Visayas”.

Things I did in Silay City:

Visited the San Diego Pro-Cathedral

It is an early 20th century church, declared as a pro-cathedral in 1994 and the only pro-cathedral outside of Manila. It is the only church in Negros Occidental with a dome similar to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Designed by Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi in 1920, it stands out as one of the most noticeable landmarks in Silay.



Explored the Heritage Houses

I got fascinated with the vast number of heritage houses Silay City has. Its history and architectural details is truly a National Treasure. As I walk down the streets of Silay, I saw more than a dozen of old houses and each house never failed to suprise me of its great architectural designs. Lucky me, I was able to get inside one house, the Manuel Severino Hofilena Ancestral house.


Manuel Severino Hofilena Ancestral House


I will make a more detailed post on this later.

Dined at El Ideal

A well-known bakery since 1920. It is a local bakery with a restaurant. They make great pastries and delicacies, but people go here for their guapple pie. This is a must-try when you visit Silay City.

This Negros Occidental solo trip happened last December 11-12, 2010. Here is a series of posts on my 2-day experience in one of the most progressive provinces in the country. Discover the places I've been to, the people I met, the food I tasted and the experience I gained in this memorable adventure. Bacolod, Murcia, Talisay and Silay | Mambukal Resort in Murcia | The Town of Murcia | The Ruins in Talisay City | Silay City, "The Paris of Negros" | The Capitol Park and Lagoon Complex | The San Sebastian Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace | Pope John Paul II Tower in Bacolod City | Heritage Houses in Silay City