Day 72: Tollai Talaifak, Agat, Guam
📌APIA Every Day (72) - The Taleyfac (Talaifak) Bridge, also known as Taleyfac Spanish Bridge or Talaifak Tollai Acho’, is a historic stone arch bridge located in Agat, Guam. Constructed in 1785 under Spanish Governor Felipe de Cerain’s administration, the wooden bridge was part of the bridges built in the southwestern part of Guam, connecting the capital Hagåtña to the island’s main port, Humåtak, via El Camino Real or the Royal Road.
Over time, deterioration prompted Governor Felipe de la Corte’s administration in the 1850s to advocate for reconstruction with stone bridges, including the one over the Taleyfac River. Throughout the years, one arch suffered damage due to stone removal or erosion. By 1917, certain segments of the original road of the Royal Road were still in use, but the Spanish bridges, including Taleyfac Bridge, had fallen into disuse.
In 1974, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Guam Register of Historic Sites. Subsequently, in 2013, the Guam Preservation Trust completed the restoration of Tollai Talaifak, addressing erosion along the river and incorporating parking facilities and educational signage chronicling the bridge's history. The efforts to restore the bridge have contributed to Guam’s architectural and cultural history, providing insight into different historical periods on the island.
LEARN MORE:
Guam Preservation Trust: Talaifak Bridge : Guam Preservation Trust
Guam Museum Foundation: Tollai Talaifak or Taleyfac Tollai Åcho’ (stone bridge)
On Walkabout: The Talaifak Bridge
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