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Historic Eras of Guam

Architecture, Art, Architecture, Body Adornment, Music and Food, Heritage Sites, Historic Eras of Guam, Historic Structures, Spanish Era, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago was the second of three Spanish forts built to defend the anchorage at Apra Harbor. The fort was constructed at the tip of Orote Peninsula on the southwestern coastline of Guam. Its location, atop a sheer cliffline overlooking the entrance to the harbor, made it a formidable defensive force.

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Architecture, Art, Architecture, Body Adornment, Music and Food, Heritage Sites, Historic Eras of Guam, Historic Structures, Spanish Era, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Fort Santa Agueda

Fort Santa Agueda, the only surviving Spanish fort in Hagåtña, sits atop Apugan Hill on the western coast of Guam. The fort, now commonly called Fort Apugan, provides a commanding view of the capital village of Hagåtña, the Philippine Sea, and the sheer northern clifflines of Oka Point and Urunao Point.

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Ancient Guam Era, Chamorro Culture, Civic Society, Historic Eras of Guam, Matrilineal Systems, Our Heritage, People, People and Places, Religion, Roles of Family Members, Spanish Era, Spanish Era: Religion, Spanish-CHamoru Wars, Wars and Factors of Peace

MatÃ¥’pang: Matapang

History will remember Maga’låhi Matå’pang from Tomhom (Tumon) as the man responsible for murdering Father Diego Luís de San Vitores, the Spanish Jesuit priest who brought Christianity to the Mariana Islands. Matå’pang’s significance, however, has changed over the centuries as Chamorro/CHamorus and their understanding of historical events has changed.

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Architecture, Art, Architecture, Body Adornment, Music and Food, Heritage Sites, Historic Eras of Guam, Historic Structures, Spanish Era, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Spanish Forts of Guam Overview

In order to protect Spain’s interests in Guam and its Pacific trade routes, several fortifications were constructed to defend the island. Beginning with the first stockade in Hagåtña in 1671 and ending with the semi-reductos (half-enclosed parapets) in 1835, the Spanish administration built fourteen fortifications of various types and dimensions on Guam.

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Ancient Guam Era, Chamorro Culture, Historic Eras of Guam, Matrilineal Systems, Our Heritage, People, People and Places, Roles of Family Members, Spanish Era, Spanish-CHamoru Wars, Wars and Factors of Peace

Hurao

Hurao is one of the most celebrated Chamorro/CHamoru chiefs in Guam’s history. He was a Hagåtña Chamorri (high caste) in the late 1600’s, who with the backing of the village makanas (spiritual leaders), was key in instigating the Spanish-CHamoru War.

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