The Plaza de España (''Spain Square'') located in central
Hagåtña, the capital of the United States territory of
Guam
Guam (; ch, Guåhan ) is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States (reckoned from the geographic cent ...
, was the location of the Governors Palace during the island's long period of Spanish occupation. Most of the palace was destroyed during the shelling of Hagåtña during the
reconquest of Guam in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. There are three structures still standing including the three-arch gate to Almacen (Arsenal), the azotea or back porch, and the
Chocolate House
Chocolate is a food made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels that is available as a liquid, solid, or paste, either on its own or as a flavoring agent in other foods. Cacao has been consumed in some form since at least the Olmec civi ...
. The plaza was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 1974.
Overview
In the middle of
Hagåtña, the Plaza de España served as the colonial Spanish Governor's Palace from 1734 until the
invasion of World War II. The surviving or restored structures include the Azotea,
Chocolate House
Chocolate is a food made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels that is available as a liquid, solid, or paste, either on its own or as a flavoring agent in other foods. Cacao has been consumed in some form since at least the Olmec civi ...
, Tool Shed, Siesta Shed and Spanish Walls. The Governor's Palace housed the office and residence of the Spanish Governor. It was destroyed in 1944 during the
liberation of Guam
The Battle of Guam (21 July–10 August 1944) was the American recapture of the Japanese-held island of Guam, a U.S. territory in the Mariana Islands captured by the Japanese from the United States in the First Battle of Guam in 1941 during ...
, but portions of the foundation may still be seen.
The Governor's Palace, called Casa Gobierno under Spanish rule, was reconstructed in 1885 to replace the original structure built in 1736. The two-story stone building featured a cantilevered balcony and clay tile roofing. Living quarters were upstairs while the first floor spaces were utilized as the office of the Sargento Mayor de la Plaza, weapons storerooms, and clerical offices.
American rule brought changes in the Palace, including pouring a cement floor and converting the lower storerooms into administrative office spaces. The second floor contained a reception area, the dining room, galleries, and the private residence of the governor and his family. The kitchen facilities and the servants' quarters were located in the rear of the Palace.
The elevated Azotea, also of stone construction, survived
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. It was originally the Palace's open-air terrace porch, with a clay tile roof added after the war.
Under Spanish rule the Plaza de España served as the center stage for many government and civic activities on Guam. The principal structure in the complex of buildings, gardens, and a park, the Casa Gobierno, or Governor's Palace, was originally constructed in 1736, and was first occupied by colonial Spanish Governor Francisco Cardenas Pacheco.
The complex was originally named the Plaza de Magalahes (Governor's Plaza), and was later changed to Plaza de España. Its appearance has also changed during the years. In 1885 the original palace was replaced with a larger building by Governor Don Enrique Solano. After the
Spanish–American War
, partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence
, image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg
, image_size = 300px
, caption = (clock ...
in 1898, when Guam became an American possession, the Plaza continued as the headquarters of the American administration and official residence of the Naval Governor.
Under American administration the plaza was expanded to include a baseball field and badminton court. Today the Kiosko (bandstand) stands in what was once the baseball field. World War II brought more changes to the Plaza. On
December 10, 1941 after a brief battle in Agana, the Governor, Captain
George J. McMillin, U.S.N, surrendered the island to the Japanese from the Plaza. Later, while the seat of Japanese occupation, the Plaza was extensively damaged by the
July 1944 bombardment of Agana shortly before Guam's liberation. The existing structures were subsequently repaired but an extensive restoration project was completed only in 1980.
The Plaza de España today continues to be the site for numerous social and civic functions, including the inauguration of the Governor of Guam – emphasizing its significance in Guam's history.
See also
*
National Register of Historic Places listings in Guam __NOTOC__
This is a list of the buildings, sites, districts, and objects listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Guam. There are currently 134 listed sites spread across 17 of the 19 villages of Guam. The villages of Agana Heig ...
References
External links
Guam Portal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Plaza de Espana (Hagatna)
Hagåtña, Guam
History of Guam
Houses completed in 1736
Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Guam
World War II on the National Register of Historic Places in Guam
1736 establishments in the Spanish Empire
Squares in the United States