Clarin Ancestral House Experience Tour

The Clarin Ancestral House is a Filipino-Spanish designed residence built during the 1840s. The house was built with coral stone foundations, roughly hewn wooden posts, polished wooden floorboards, and wood plank walls; thus bahay (balay) tabla. The upper floor contains the living quarters and has large and wide windows with shutters decorated with capiz shells.

This imposing abode is a mute witness to the grandeur of Spain and America in the Philippines during the 13th century. Its interiors show spacious halls, high vaulted ceilings and cavernous rooms equipped with urnas (miniature altars) where precious ivory icons reign. It also features large capiz windows, antique furniture embellished with lace and crochet.

Today, the house stands as a famous museum in Bohol. It displays a collection of the Clarin’s family’s significant memorabilia. It is also considered one of the most visited of all ancestral houses in Bohol after the National Historical Institute declared it as a heritage site.