Spanish Colonial Experience: This New Heritage Destination in Bataan is Beyond Beautiful!
A sprawling 400-hectare heritage property fronting a scenic bay in Bagac, Bataan will bring each visitor back in Spanish Colonial time. Every Filipino will be proud to look back on how our struggles as colonized people still ended up into one beautiful culture worthy to be preserved.
We all know Vigan has been our go-to place to travel back in time. Calle Crisologo and its cobblestone streets have merged our modern consciousness with the physical past.
Hotel de Oriente in the bay |
Now, a private-owned heritage park and resort has revolutionized cultural tourism at its best!
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan, Central Luzon boasts a scenic bay and a sprawling cobblestone-patched 400-hectare property. Carefully laid out 27 authentic Spanish Colonial buildings are scattered all over the complex. These colonial buildings were built from dismantled bricks and stones from Spanish-era houses in Tondo, Binondo, Quiapo, Quezon, Bulacan and Ilocos.
Kalesa ride |
Every casa is named based from its own history and origin. To highlight a few, we have Casa Candaba and Casa Haen I.
Casa Candaba of Pampanga was owned by the Reyes family and was built in 1780. It was once a home to a Spanish governor general when he visited Pampanga.
Casa Haen I was owned by Don Hilarion Esquivel. It was built in the 1900s. It has won the House Beautiful Award in 1917 by the Sunday Tribune.
The other architectural features of Las Casas Filipinas are the estero houses, almost similar to Venice's.
Estero Houses |
Sunrise Breakfast Cruise in Estero de Binondo with your own butler |
Estero de Binondo and the waters of Umagol River |
Heritage, culture and arts are the much needed boost that you will get in this river cruise. Enchanting artworks are showcased along the canals of Estero de Binondo.
Marivent Cafe in Casa Unisan |
Filipino-Spanish and European themed shops and restaurants are available in Las Casas Filipinas. Cafe Marivent is housed in Casa Unisan which was originally built in 1839 by the Maxino family.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a mix of the humble living of most Filipinos during the Spanish colonial era and the posh lavish lifestyle of the ilustrados and the elite society.
Hotel de Oriente's lobby is lavished with wood designs in Western motifs. The overall effect is spectacular.
Hotel de Oriente lobby |
Hotel de Oriente facade |
The hotel accommodation here may be pricey but you can avail a day tour in a reasonable price.
The Batis Pool, when the batis is so posh! |
Aren't you amazed yet? |
Casas after casas. |
With all these surreal scenes of the past, aren't you in love with this place already?
You must not miss to put this in the top spot of your Philippine travel itinerary!
To book a trip here, visit their website here.
Photos from Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
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