Mercado Mansion, Heritage mansion in Carcar, Philippines.
Mercado Mansion is a two-story house in the Bahay na Bato style with a stone foundation and wooden upper floors, located in Carcar on Cebu island. The building displays the typical design of this Philippine architecture with heavy masonry at ground level and lighter wooden construction above.
The mansion was built in the 1880s and expanded in 1906 when Don Mariano Mercado, who later became mayor of Carcar, owned the property. The improvements of that era show how the family adapted to life during the American period.
The mansion remains a family home today and reflects how life was lived in old Carcar through its rooms and furnishings. The blue exterior and handcrafted details of the facade speak to the building skills and tastes of its era.
The mansion sits in downtown Carcar and is walkable as part of exploring the town's heritage area. Keep in mind that it remains an active residence, so visiting may be limited to certain times or by arrangement with the occupants.
The mansion received official recognition as a Heritage House in 2009 but was largely overlooked by outsiders until history enthusiasts drew attention to its architectural importance. Its striking blue exterior makes it easy to spot when wandering the old streets of Carcar today.
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