San Antonio Bridge: A Stone Testament to Guam's Past

The San Antonio Bridge, or Tollai Acho', is a historical landmark in Hagåtña, Guam, offering a glimpse into the island's Spanish colonial era. Constructed around 1800 under the administration of Governor Manuel Muro, the stone bridge was dedicated to San Antonio de Padua. Originally, it spanned the Hagåtña River, connecting the districts of San Ignacio and Bilibic.After World War II, the Hagåtña River's course was altered during the capital's reconstruction. Today, the bridge is the centerpiece of Sirena Park, named after a Chamorro legend about a girl who transformed into a mermaid. A bronze statue of La Sirena, Guam's legendary mermaid, sits on the south side of the bridge. The bridge was damaged during World War II and restored in 1966 with concrete. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Sites on September 6, 1974.Visitors can appreciate the bridge's architecture and its surroundings. A keystone depicting San Antonio de Padua remains on the bridge. Nearby, a statue honors Don Pedro Pengelinan Martinez, a prominent businessman from Guam.