Plaza de España: A Historical Heart in Hagåtña

Plaza de España, situated in central Hagåtña, is a poignant reminder of Guam's Spanish colonial era. From 1734 until World War II, this plaza was the site of the Spanish Governor's Palace, serving as the hub of colonial administration. Originally named Plaza de Magalahes, it later became Plaza de España.Over the centuries, the plaza underwent several transformations. In 1885, Governor Don Enrique Solano replaced the original palace with a larger structure. Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, when Guam became a U.S. territory, the plaza continued to function as the headquarters of the American administration and the official residence of the Naval Governor. The American administration expanded the plaza, adding a baseball field and badminton court. Today, the Kiosko (bandstand) occupies the former baseball field.During World War II, the Plaza suffered extensive damage during the shelling of Hagåtña in 1944. However, some structures survived, including the three-arch gate to the Almacen (Arsenal), the Azotea (back porch), and the Chocolate House. The Governor's Palace, known as Casa Gobierno under Spanish rule, was reconstructed in 1885 to replace the original structure built in 1736.Today, Plaza de España continues to hold significance in Guam's history, serving as a venue for numerous social and civic functions, including the inauguration of the Governor of Guam.