Casa Real

Casa Real is one of the oldest public buildings and served as the provincial seat of government of Lingayen, Pangasinan in the Philippines during the Spanish occupation in the country. It was where the Alcalde Mayor held office as the Provincial Governor and the Judge of the Court of First Instance. It was declared a National Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and noted it as "an outstanding and unique example of civil architecture from the Spanish and American colonial periods". Local offices that were housed by the building abandoned it when Typhoon "Cosme" ripped off its roof in 2008. The provincial government of Pangasinan has already allotted funds for its renovation, which will turn it into a museum.HistoryIn 1840's, the 1,480-square meter, two-story Casa Real made of stone masonry and bricks, which stands at the municipal plaza was constructed. It also became the station of Spanish soldiers and their native recruits when they fought the Katipuneros.During the American period, it was called ‘capitol’ and served as the office of the governor. When Judge William Howard Taft and his commissioners went to Lingayen, Pangasinan, they were given a grand reception at Casa Real on Feb. 16, 1901. This happened after the Taft Commission organized Pangasinan as a civil province. In 1918, the seat of the provincial government was eventually transferred to what is now the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Building.