Barcelona's Presidencia ruins

A trip to Barcelona, my hometown's border town, will not be complete without passing by the Spanish  period Presidencia ruins. A former part of the Old Bulusan, Barcelona is so similar to Bulusan town in so many ways including the language.

The structure is said to be part of a protective defense structure against the moro pirates during the Spanish colonial period built  probably at a later date than the fortress in Bulusan town, extant of which still dot the coastline of the Poblacions.

The Barcelona Spanish colonial Presidencia structure though in ruins is a major heritage site of the town that attracts tourists both local and foreign. It is located just across the Barcelona church (also a tourist draw) and faces the vast Pacific Ocean.

Note:

Information from LGU Barcelona about the history of the ruins reads: Moreover, the Presidencia Building with a two-story structure was the seat of Barcelona local government headed by the Governadorcillo. Being a few meters away from the shoreline of the Pacific, it served as a FORTRESS from pirate attacks with an underground tunnel leading to the parish church across the street. During the Japanese occupation, the Presidencia was used as a garrison. After the war, it was used again as the seat of the municipal government. A series of typhoons destroyed the upper part and surrounding walls. Its remains served as a historical landmark and an awesome sight to savor the past. The remnants of the adjacent Stone Building which was also built in 1874 as a school building for the children of the “Illustrados” can still be seen. During the American rule, it was still utilized as an elementary school building until a typhoon destroyed its roof.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
in Barcelona, Sorsogon, Philippines