THINGS TO DO IN BACOLOD: Visit The San Sebastian Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace (Negros Occidental)

The San Sebastian Cathedral is located in downtown Bacolod City. It was originally a small chapel and was declared as a cathedral when Bacolod was raised to the status of a diocese with a jurisdiction comprising the island of Negros in 1933. It was used to be under the Diocese of Cebu until 1860 and Diocese of Jaro until that year. Since then, the church became a cathedral and the convento beside it became the Palacio Episcopal or Bishop’s Palace.

The coral stone church, now covered with a thin layer of cement, is classical in temper. The slender bell towers flanking the façade give an eastern European look to the church. The entrance to the church is through a portico composed of three arches of equal dimensions. Flanking the main door is a statue of the church builder Fr. Ferrero.

The church interior is simple and chaste, its pleasing appearance comes about because of the pleasing modulation of arches and pillars rather than ornamentation. This feeling is accentuated by the unadorned gray faux vault, minus the figures painted by Lago.



In the church yard is a bell donated by Fr. Julian Gonzaga which was removed from the belfry in 1976 during the centennial celebration of the church.



On the right side of the church, is a convento that is typical bahay na bato. The wooden upper story of the structure was reconstructed after the 1985 fire that damaged it.

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