Plaza de España: A Glimpse into Guam's Past

Plaza de España, situated in central Hagåtña, is a poignant reminder of Guam's rich and complex history. For centuries, this plaza served as the heart of the island's government, first under Spanish rule and later during the American naval administration. Originally named Plaza de Magalahes, the plaza was the site of the Governor's Palace from 1734 until the devastation of World War II.Constructed in 1736, the Casa Gobierno, or Governor's Palace, was the principal structure within the complex. Over the years, the plaza witnessed numerous historical events, serving as the backdrop for political, social, religious, and cultural activities that shaped the destiny of the Mariana Islands. In 1885, the original palace was replaced with a larger building. Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, the plaza continued to serve as the headquarters for the American administration.Today, visitors can explore the remnants of this once-grand complex, including the three-arch gate to the Almacen (Arsenal), the azotea (back porch), and the Chocolate House, where governors once entertained guests. Although much of the palace was destroyed during the 1944 shelling of Hagåtña, the surviving structures have been restored, and the plaza continues to be a site for social and civic functions, including the inauguration of Guam's Governor. The Plaza de España was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.