What Is Fort Santa Agueda?
Also called Fort Apugan, this is the last remaining Spanish fort in Guam’s capital of Hagåtña!
What Makes It Historical?
Spanish governor, Manuel Moro, ordered this fort built in 1800 as a defensive measure against British privateers, who were eager to plunder trade lines between South America and the Philippines! The fort was built in a 53 by 40 foot rectangle using a stone rubble mortaring technique called mampostería and named not for a saint but for Governor Moro’s wife, María Agueda del Camino!
Fort Santa Agueda stood watch over the governor’s palace but did little more than that. It had the capacity to hold fifty pieces of artillery but only had a few actual guns and limited powder. After 87 years, during which Mexico gained independence and Spain ceased its galleon trade, the fort was left to rot. It was used as a signal station after American takeover, and a gun emplacement by the Japanese during World War II, but today it is a nationally registered historic site and a big destination for taking in views of Guam!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Guam Preservation Trust!
- Donate to the Guam Preservation Trust!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
Fort Court north of Chalan Palasyo
Hagåtña, GU
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Whenever the mood strikes you!
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