Fort Santa Agueda, Apugan Hill, Guam.
Fuerte de Santa Agueda (aka: Apugan) Agana, Guam. Next to the Governor's residence, on Apugan Hill, Agana Heights (Hagatña = original Chamorro name), stand the remains of Fort Santa Agueda, AKA Fort Apugan.
For a long time this fort was called Fort Apugan, but through the diligent research of Professor Paul Carano, the first Director of the Micronesian Area Research Center, the correct name was discovered. The "Apugan" name came from the Chamorro tradition of naming structures in an area by the place name, Apugan in this case.
This fort, or citadel, was begun about 1800, during the administration of Governor Manuel Muro. He chose a site overlooking the city of Agana on a hill in the section called Apugan. Ft. Agueda is the only Spanish fortification remaining in Agana. Built to protect the Governor's Palace and anchored Galleons, the Fort contained seven cannons which were never fired in anger, only as salutes or signals to passing ships.
From this vantage you can see the whole of Agana and much of the central western coastline, including Two Lover's Point. Below, alongside the Agana Cathedral-Basilica, are the restored ruins of the Plaza de Espana, which dates to 1736. In 1885 the last and largest of the Governors' Palaces was built here.
The fort was named after Saint Agueda, the patron-saint of married women and those mothers breast-feeding their children. Notes: Santa Agueda Festival in Europe. Zamarramalam , Segovia, 11th February, in the province of Segovia.This festival is very ancient in origin. The famous governor's wives - who serve as stewards during the religious celebration - dressed in sumptuous gowns from the 12th century and carrying the scepter of authority lead the procession of Saint Agueda. They are followed by the married women who are dressed in farm clothes, and later attend a banquet in which the priest is the only male present. The celebration is ended with the ancient "Baile de Rueda" (Wheel Dance).
February 5th is one of the few feast-days in which women play the main role, since Saint Agueda is the patron-saint of married women and, above all, of those mothers breast-feeding their children. It should be recalled that this martyr, amongst other horrors she had to face during her martyrdom, had her breasts removed.
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