For more than 300 years, the Philippines was under the Spaniards’ colonization and one of the cities that was greatly influenced was Jaro, Iloilo. Having a large Spanish-Filipino population Jaro was dubbed Mestizo town in the City of love—Iloilo. With preserved old-aged beauty of magnificently crafted churches and heritage mansions with traces of Spanish architectural design, both residents and tourists enjoy wandering in the town

Here are some of them:

Jaro-Cathedral

Nuestra Seora de la Candelaria is another name for Jaro Cathedral (Our Lady of the Candles). This remarkable cathedral’s Romanesque Revival architecture and other distinguishing features set it different from the country’s traditional cathedral architecture. Both Ilonggos and tourists visit the church nowadays to attend masses and admire its beauty.

Joaquin Ledesma Mansion

One of Jaro’s many gorgeous heritage houses is the Joaquin Ledesma Mansion, which is located close the Jaro Cathedral. Classical architectural features include ionic-style columns and pilasters. This home is distinguished by the balconies’ banisters, which are replicated on the rooftop patio. Unfortunately, earlier excavations on the property in search of Japanese buried treasures caused damage to the mansion’s structure.

Villa Lizares

This ancestral home, which once belonged to the Lizares, the city’s wealthiest family, is now a historical and tourist attraction. In the 1960s, the palace was sold to the Dominican order, and it currently houses Angelicum School, a private academy, as well as the church. Although the school is closed to the public, the grounds can be toured to get a better look at the mansion.

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