Along the shoreline of the coastal town of Barcelona, Sorsogon lies a silent storyteller—Barcelona Ruins Park. Here, history isn’t confined to dusty pages; it’s etched in weathered stones—remnants of Spanish Colonial-era buildings that, over a century ago, bore witness to narratives of a bygone era.
Said park cradles what’s left of the “Escuela Pia” building, a school for the “illustrados,” or wealthy Spanish conquistadores, along with the La Presidencia ruins, the former administrative stronghold of the Spanish Colonial-era gobernadorcillo.
Fun fact: The very moment one steps inside the La Presidencia ruins, he/she is bound to notice that the walls seem rather “massive.” It is because this historic structure, beyond its administrative role, doubled as a fortress guarding the town against pirates and Moro raiders at that time.
On top of that, a hidden underground tunnel was said to have once connected the La Presidencia building to the nearby Barcelona Church, meant to serve as a covert escape route in times when there is a need of the sort. However, this supposed secret passageway was eventually closed off to safeguard the valuable religious relics housed in the church from potential theft.
Furthermore, during the Japanese occupation in 1941, La Presidencia served as a garrison—yet again, with a front-row seat to another significant chapter of its storied past.
As for the Escuela Pia, during the American colonization, it was known as the Stone Building, opening its doors for students from all walks of life—reshaped in accordance to that of the changing tides of history.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack up and at least try to take a peek at Barcelona Ruins Park—I assure you, it won’t disappoint. After all, it’s a place where each stone holds a story waiting to be told. | Kian Kirby F. Florano